BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 1403

79R4545 SGA-F                                                                                               By: Deshotel (Janek)

Intergovernmental Relations

5/10/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, the Port of Beaumont Navigation District board is made up of six commissioners.  At this time the number of port commissioners needed to constitute a quorum, and pass business, is three.  In 1957, when the number of commissioners was amended from five commissioners to six, the number to constitute a quorum was disregarded.  H.B. 1403 raises the number of commissioners constituting a quorum from the current level of three commissioners to four.  H.B. 1403 also amends the number of votes to pass business of the district from three commissioners to the majority of the quorum. Currently, in the event that the number of commissioners should fall to two, the board is able to call a special election to fill the vacancies. H.B. 1403 requires the board to be able to call a special election if the number of commissioners should fall to three persons.  This bill also proposes pay raises for each commissioner from $300 per month to $500 and for the president from $350 per month to $550.  The current compensation has been in place since 1991.

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 Sections 8 and 12, Chapter 147, Acts of the 51st Legislature, Regular Session, 1949, as follows:

Sec. 8.  Requires four, rather than three, [Port of Beaumont Navigation District] commissioners to constitute a quorum at any meeting.  Deletes existing text requiring the concurrence of three commissioners to be sufficient in all matters pertaining to the business of the district.  Provides that if the commissioners are reduced to three, rather than two, then the remaining commissioners are required to call a special election to fill the vacancies. 

Sec. 12.  Requires each commissioner to receive for his services the sum of $500, rather than $300, per month, except the president who is required to receive $550, rather than $350, per month, plus actual traveling expenses. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2005.