SRC-JBJ S.J.R. 4 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.J.R. 4 77R2433 ATP-DBy: Gallegos Intergovernmental Relations 4/18/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the size of commissioner's precincts in Texas range from 28 persons to more than 800,000 persons. The average population per commissioner's precinct in Harris County is greater than 800,000, with the population of each commissioners precinct being larger than that of a United States congressional district. As proposed, S.J.R. 4 adds provisions to increase the number of county commissioners in Harris County from four to six. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 18(b), Article V, Texas Constitution, to require Harris County to be divided into six, rather than four, commissioners precincts. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Amends the Texas Constitution by adding the following temporary provision: TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) Provides that this temporary provision applies to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, to increase the number of county commissioners in Harris County from four to six. (b) Requires the Commissioners Court of Harris County, under that constitutional amendment, to divide the county into six commissioners precincts so that: _the boundaries of the initial six precincts can take effect on January 1, 2003; and _the two additional offices of county commissioner that initially result from the division of the county into six commissioners precincts can be filled at the general election for state and county officers held in November 2002. (c) Provides that of the persons elected to the two additional offices at the election in November 2002, one serves an initial term expiring January 1, 2005, and one serves an initial term expiring January 1, 2007. SECTION 3. Requires the proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001. Requires the ballot to be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment to increase the number of county commissioners in Harris County from four to six"