S.J.R. 45 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS S.J.R. 45 By: Madla County Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, there are two types of special districts which provide services to the residents within the districts' services boundaries: rural fire prevention districts and emergency services districts. This past interim, the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations studied these districts. Research revealed that while the districts provide similar services, their ability to fund the districts' operations are very different. The enabling legislation, S.B.1021, provides for the conversion of the remaining rural fire prevention districts to emergency services districts. As proposed, S.J.R. 45 proposes a constitutional amendment to repeal the Legislature's authority of to provide for the creation of rural fire prevention districts. 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. Repealer: Section 48-d, Article III, Texas Constitution (Rural Fire Prevention Districts). SECTION 2. Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2003, only if the 78th Legislature, at its regular session, enacts a bill relating to the conversion of all rural fire prevention districts to emergency services districts and that bill becomes law. Requires the ballot to be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment to repeal the authority of the legislature to provide for the creation of rural fire prevention districts." Provides that if such a bill does not become law, this proposed constitutional amendment has no effect. FOR ELECTION Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2003, only if the 78th Legislature, at its regular session, enacts a bill relating to the conversion of all rural fire prevention districts to emergency services districts and that bill becomes law