BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.J.R. 79
79R5560 JTS-D By: Krusee (Staples)
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Regional mobility authorities (RMAs) were initially authorized during the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001. H.B. 3588, enacted during the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, created the Regional Mobility Act (Chapter 370, Transportation Code) governing the creation and operation of RMAs. Among the changes to RMAs enacted by H.B. 3588 was the expansion of the length of RMA board of director terms of office from two to six years. The purpose of lengthening the terms of office was to provide for consistency and stability in RMA leadership to make RMA transportation projects more attractive to investment from capital markets. However, questions have arisen over whether six-year RMA board member terms are constitutional due to ambiguity contained in the language of Article XVI, Sections 30 and 30A, Texas Constitution.
H.J.R. 79 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to, by general law, provide that RMA board members serve terms not to exceed six years.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 30, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, by adding Subsection (e), to authorize the legislature by general law to provide that members of the board of a regional mobility authority serve terms not to exceed six years, with no more than one-third of the members of the board to be appointed every two years.
SECTION 2. Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2005. Sets forth the required language for the ballot.