By:  Homer                                                        H.B. No. 3178



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to unfunded mandates.                                                
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 320.004(b), Government Code is amended 
to read as follows:
	(b)  During the regular session immediately following the 
issuance of a report under Subsection (a), the legislature by law 
may continue the mandate for a period not to exceed three years, by 
law may repeal the mandate, or may take no action on the mandate.  If 
the legislature fails to continue the mandate, the mandate shall 
expire on September 1 following the regular session.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.