SRC-JLB H.B. 3603 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3603 78R9109 SLO-DBy: Smith, Todd (Brimer) Jurisprudence 5/13/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Prior to 1999, all municipalities in Texas were allowed to call elections to allow voters to determine whether a municipality would elect or appoint the voter's municipal judges. The 76th Legislature passed a bill that required municipal judges to be appointed by a city's governing body. The City of Bedford wished to have the authority to choose which method to use in selecting its municipal judges. H.B. 3603 exempts the City of Bedford from the legislation passed during the 76th Legislature and allows the city to choose its method of selecting municipal judges. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 30, Government Code, by adding Subchapter XX, as follows: SUBCHAPTER XX. BEDFORD Sec. 30.01881. APPLICATION. Provides that this subchapter applies to the City of Bedford. Sec. 30.01882. JUDGE. Authorizes the governing body of the city to determine by ordinance whether a municipal judge is appointed by the governing body or elected by the qualified voters of the city by a majority vote. Provides that a municipal judge serves for a term of three years. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.