BILL ANALYSIS
By: Deshotel
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
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. HB 1403 proposes to raise the number of commissioners constituting a quorum from the current level of three commissioners to four. HB 1403 would also amend the number of votes to pass business of the district from three commissioners to the majority of the quorum. Currently, in the circumstance that the number of commissioners should fall to two the board is able to call a special election to fill the vacancies. HB 1403 proposes that the board shall 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 to $500 and for the president from $350 to $550 which was last updated in 1991.
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. Amends Sections 8 and 12, of Chapter 147, Acts of the 51st Legislature, Regular Session, 1949, to read as follows:
Section 8. This section is amended by amending the number of commissioners needed to constitute a quorum from three commissioners to four commissioners. This section would also strike the language "[, and the concurrence of three shall be sufficient in all matters pertaining to the business of the district]" and make it the majority of a quorum needed to pass business of the district. When vacancies occur, the number of commissioners remaining on the board before a special election can be called will be raised from two commissioners to three commissioners.
Section 12. This section is amended to raise the salaries for commissioners as well as the president of the board. Each commissioner shall now receive $500, raised from $300, and the president shall receive $550, raised from $350.
SECTION 2. Effective Date
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.