By Keel                                                H.B. No. 344
         77R2333 ATP-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the election, terms, and powers of library district
 1-3     trustees.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 326.043, Local Government Code, is amended
 1-6     by amending Subsections (a)  and (b) and adding Subsection (d) to
 1-7     read as follows:
 1-8           (a)  Trustees shall serve staggered four-year [two-year]
 1-9     terms.
1-10           (b)  The general election for trustees shall be held
1-11     biennially [annually] on an authorized uniform election date under
1-12     Chapter 41, Election Code.
1-13           (d)  A write-in vote for a person for the office of trustee
1-14     may be counted only in the manner Subchapter C, Chapter 146,
1-15     Election Code, provides for counting write-in votes for city
1-16     officers.
1-17           SECTION 2. Section 326.061(a), Local Government Code, is
1-18     amended to read as follows:
1-19           (a)  A district has all of the powers, authority, rights, and
1-20     duties that will permit the accomplishment of the purposes for
1-21     which the district was created, including the power to borrow
1-22     money, purchase, construct, acquire, own, operate, maintain,
1-23     repair, or improve any land, works, materials, supplies,
1-24     improvements, facilities, equipment, vehicles, machinery, or
 2-1     appliances as necessary for the district.
 2-2           SECTION 3. Section 326.095, Local Government Code, is amended
 2-3     to read as follows:
 2-4           Sec. 326.095.  USE OF TAX. Taxes collected under this
 2-5     subchapter may be used only for the purposes for which the district
 2-6     was created and may be pledged as collateral for borrowing money to
 2-7     further those purposes.
 2-8           SECTION 4. Elections for trustees of a library district
 2-9     governed by Chapter 326, Local Government Code, shall be held
2-10     annually for the two years following the effective date of this
2-11     Act.  Trustees in office on the effective date of this Act shall
2-12     serve for the remainder of their terms.  Trustees elected on the
2-13     first regular election held after the effective date of this Act
2-14     shall serve three-year terms.  Each trustee elected on or after the
2-15     second regular election after the effective date of this Act shall
2-16     serve a four-year term as provided by Section 326.043(a), Local
2-17     Government Code, as amended by this Act.  Elections for trustees
2-18     shall be held biennially after the second regular election after
2-19     the effective date of this Act.
2-20           SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.