BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 2095

                                                                                                                                          By: Guillen

                                                                                                                                    County Affairs

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Certain programs, such as a mass transit program administered by Texas Department of Transportation in recent years, are reserved for municipalities or counties with an incorporated municipality.  However, certain counties without an incorporated municipality do have ordinance granting authority. This authority establishes that the county and its municipalities have the leadership and the organizational abilities to manage and utilize such programs. Yet, these counties have been ruled ineligible simply because they do not have an incorporated municipality.

 

H.B. 2095 will ensure that all of   Texas' counties that have been granted ordinance-making authority are eligible to receive funds from grant and loan programs.

 

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

 

H.B. 2095 adds a section to the Local Government Code that acknowledges a county with ordinance making authority is eligible to participate in programs that provide financial or other assistance to municipalities, even if the county does not have an incorporated municipality.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2007.