SRC-VRA H.J.R. 61 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.J.R. 61
78R4736 PAM-DBy: McReynolds (Armbrister)
Intergovernmental Relations
4/24/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Constitution prohibits the legislature from
authorizing municipalities to donate surplus fire-fighting equipment or
supplies for the benefit of rural volunteer fire departments.  As
proposed, H.J.R. 61 requires the submission to the voters of a
constitutional amendment authorizing municipalities to donate surplus
fire-fighting equipment or supplies for the benefit of rural volunteer
fire departments.  

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 Article III, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 52i,
as follows: 
 
Sec. 52i.  (a)  Authorizes a municipality to donate surplus equipment,
supplies, or other materials used in fighting fires to the Texas Forest
Service or to a successor agency authorized to cooperate in the
development of rural fire protection plans. 
 
(b)  Authorizes the Texas Forest Service or the successor agency to, based
on need, redistribute to rural volunteer fire departments the equipment,
supplies, or materials donated under Subsection (a). 

SECTION 2.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2003.
Requires the ballot to be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing municipalities to
donate surplus fire-fighting equipment or supplies for the benefit of
rural volunteer fire departments."