C.S.H.B. 3 78(1)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 3
By: Crabb
Redistricting
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 77th Legislature adjourned without enacting new congressional
districts after the 2000 federal census.  Ultimately, the U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued an order adopting
congressional districts (PLAN 01151C) for the 2002 elections.  The members
of the United States House of Representatives from the State of Texas for
the 108th Congress were elected under this plan. 

The regular session of the 78th Legislature adjourned without enacting new
congressional districts. On June 22, 2003, Governor Rick Perry called a
special session of the 78th Legislature, to be convened in the city of
Austin commencing at 10 a.m., Monday, the 30th day of June, 2003, for the
purpose to consider legislation relating to congressional redistricting.  


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 


ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3 proposes new congressional districts from which the members of
the United States House of Representatives from the State of Texas for the
108th Congress will be elected.  The boundaries of the districts, as well
as statistical reports and analysis, are available as PLAN 01268C for the
Texas Legislative Council's Redistricting Application (REDAPPL). 

The bill, as substituted, applies to the election of the members of the
United States House of Representatives from the State of Texas beginning
with the primary and general elections in 2004 for members of the 109th
Congress.  The bill, as substituted, does not affect the membership or
districts of the United States House of Representatives of the 108th
Congress. 


 EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect November 1, 2003.  


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3 makes significant changes in existing congressional districts.
The differences between substitute (PLAN 01268C) and the introduced
version (PLAN 001151C) can be found in reports labeled RED-M337 and
RED-M340.