C.S.H.B. 2873 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2873 By: Alonzo Urban Affairs Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently there is no law asking that appointments to local governing bodies be made with consideration toward the constituencies these bodies oversee. This is especially relevant to historically under-represented groups that are a growing part of the population. There are current sections of the state government code that address increasing different minority group representation in regards to certain state commissions. C.S.H.B. 2873 is drafted to help provide equal representation to all groups served by local governing bodies by allowing for appointments to these bodies to be made with the intended goal of achieving constituent representation. 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. 2873 amends Chapter 180, Local Government Code, to allow for an appointment to the governing body of a local government to be made with the intent to ensure that the governing body is representative of the constituency served by the governing body. It also states that a local government shall set up procedures to implement this section if they choose implementation. The bill defines the term "local government" to mean a county, municipality, or other political subdivision. The bill does not define the term "representative of the constituency." EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2003. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute clarifies that the bill is permissive by striking "must" and substituting "may." It also adds that a local government shall set up procedures to implement this section if they choose implementation.