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.