H.B. 3603 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3603 By: Smith, Todd Judicial Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND 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 their 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 wishes 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 on its own method of selecting its municipal judges. 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 SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 30, Government Code by adding Subchapter XX. Bedford as follows: Sec. 30.01881. Application. This subchapter applies to the City of Bedford. Sec. 30.01882. Judge. The governing body of the city may 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. A municipal judge serves a three year term. SECTION 2. States that this Act takes effect immediately or on September 1, 2003 if it doesn't receive the necessary vote. EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003.