SRC-JGS C.S.H.B. 3 78(3)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 3
78S30455 DRH-D
By: Crabb (Staples) 
Jurisprudence
9-19-2003
Committee Report (Substituted)
DIGEST 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 78th Legislature adjourned its regular, first, and second called
sessions without enacting new congressional districts.  Governor Rick
Perry called a third special session of the 78th Legislature to consider
legislation relating to congressional redistricting.  C.S.H.B. 3 sets
forth the composition of districts for the election of members of the
United States House of Representatives from the State of Texas. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

ARTICLE I

SECTION 1.  (a) Provides that the districts from which members of the
United States House of Representatives representing the State of Texas are
elected are composed respectively of the counties or parts of counties as
described by Article II of this Act. 

 (b) Specifies that one member is elected from each district established
by this Act. 

ARTICLE II

SECTION  1.  Sets forth the composition of District 1.

SECTION  2.  Sets forth the composition of District 2.

SECTION  3.  Sets forth the composition of District 3.

SECTION  4.  Sets forth the composition of District 4.

SECTION  5.  Sets forth the composition of District 5.

SECTION  6.  Sets forth the composition of District 6.

SECTION 7.  Sets forth the composition of District 7.

SECTION 8.  Sets forth the composition of District 8.

 SECTION 9.  Sets forth the composition of District 9.

SECTION 10.  Sets forth the composition of District 10.

SECTION 11.  Sets forth the composition of District 11.

SECTION 12.  Sets forth the composition of District 12.

SECTION 13.  Sets forth the composition of District 13.

SECTION 14.  Sets forth the composition of District 14.

SECTION 15.  Sets forth the composition of District 15.

SECTION 16.  Sets forth the composition of District 16.

SECTION 17.  Sets forth the composition of District 17.

SECTION 18.  Sets forth the composition of District 18.

SECTION 19.  Sets forth the composition of District 19.

SECTION 20.  Sets forth the composition of District 20.

SECTION 21.  Sets forth the composition of District 21.

SECTION 22.  Sets forth the composition of District 22.

SECTION 23.  Sets forth the composition of District 23.

SECTION 24.  Sets forth the composition of District 24.

SECTION 25.  Sets forth the composition of District 25.

SECTION 26.  Sets forth the composition of District 26.

SECTION 27.  Sets forth the composition of District 27.

SECTION 28.  Sets forth the composition of District 28.

SECTION 29.  Sets forth the composition of District 29.

SECTION 30.  Sets forth the composition of District 30.

SECTION 31.  Sets forth the composition of District 31.

SECTION 32.  Sets forth the composition of District 32.

ARTICLE III  

SECTION 1.  Defines "tract" and "block."

SECTION 2.  Provides that it is the intention of the Texas Legislature
that, if any county, tract, block, or other geographic area has
erroneously been left out of this Act, a court reviewing this Act should
include that area in the appropriate district in accordance with the
intent of the legislature, using any  available evidence of that intent,
including evidence such as that used by the Supreme Court of Texas in
Smith v. Patterson, 111 Tex. 535, 242 S.W. 749 (1922). 

SECTION 3.  Repealer:  Chapter 7, Acts of the 72nd Legislature, 2nd Called
Session, 1991 (Article 197h, V.T.C.S.). 

SECTION 4.  Establishes that the districts set out in Article II of this
Act apply 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.  Establishes
that this Act does not affect the membership or districts of the United
States House of Representatives of the 108th Congress. 

SECTION 5.  Effective date:  upon passage or the 91st day after the end of
the legislative session.   



SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from the original by amending district boundaries throughout
Article II.