SRC-VRA S.B. 1303 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1303
78R7004 MI-DBy: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
3/24/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, county auditors serve a two-year term.  A new auditor has
barely learned the operations of county government and the related laws
when it is time to reapply for the position.  Similarly, the current
public notice requirement for district judges setting auditor compensation
is 15 days prior to hearing. As proposed, S.B. 1303 increases the term of
a county auditor to four years and requires a notice of the compensation
hearing to be published within a specific time frame.   

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 Section 84.004, Local Government Code, to make the term
of office of a county auditor four, rather than two, years.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 152.905(c), Local Government Code, to require a
notice of the hearing regarding compensation of a county auditor,
assistant auditors and court reporters to be published not earlier than
the 30th or later than the 10th, rather than on or before the 15th, day
before the date of the hearing. 

SECTION 3.  Repealer:  Section 152.032, Local Government Code (Limitations
on County Auditor's Compensation and Allowances). 

SECTION 4.  (a) and (b)  Make application of this Act prospective.  

SECTION 5.  Effective date:  July 1, 2003 or September 1, 2003.