SRC-VRA S.J.R. 45 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.J.R. 45
78R714 ATP-DBy: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
3/25/2003
As Filed


DIGEST 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

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION 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.