BILL ANALYSIS
By: Krusee
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
In November 2004, the Austin area transit authority (Capmetro) presented a comprehensive transportation plan to its voters which eventually passed. The long range transit plan provides options for citizens to help address regional population growth, which is estimated to double in the next 25 years. This plan includes an expanded bus system integrating faster more direct routes, additional roads and a commuter rail line stretching from downtown Austin to Leander, Texas.
Under current law, the Capmetro board members may not serve more than eight years on the same board and may not be appointed to a term for which the service to complete the term would exceed eight years. To provide for continuity on the board as it implements the directive of the voters, and in recognition of the fact that board members are already effectively term-limited by operation of other laws such as the city charter, as well as by elections, HB 1815 repeals the existing term-limit provisions applicable to the board of Capital Metro.
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 451.506 (b) Transportation Code, by deleting section (3). It also amends Section 451.506 (c) by adding language that would exempt a presiding office from term limits if the officer is confirmed before July 1, 1985 and in a city with as population of 750,000 or less.
Section 2. Governs the effective date of the bill.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005