BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 693
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under current law, a municipal utility district (MUD) board member is able to practice what is called "seat jumping." This means that board members, who may soon be facing re-election, can resign their seat and have themselves appointed to a vacant seat on the board to serve out the term of the vacant seat, thereby avoiding running for re-election. This process takes choice away from voters who live in a MUD. At present, there is nothing in statute to prohibit the practice of seat jumping. S.B. 693 prohibits a MUD board from appointing to a vacant seat a person who resigned from the board in the two years preceding the vacancy date; resigned on or after the vacancy date but before the vacancy is filled; or was defeated in a district election in the two years preceding the vacancy date.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 54, Water Code, by adding Section 54.103, as follows:
Sec. 54.103. LIMITATION ON FILLING VACANCIES. Prohibits the board of a municipal utility district from appointing a person to fill a vacancy on the board if the person meets certain criteria.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.