BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 3503

                                                                                                                                         By: Farabee

                                                                                                                                    County Affairs

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Currently, counties that have population of less than 500,000 people are prohibited from paying their county auditors more than the salary of the highest paid county elected official.  In counties over 500,000 people, the Commissioners' Court is able to set the Auditor's salary.  It is difficult for smaller counties to attract and retain qualified accountants and in some cases incentives and high salaries may be necessary to attract qualified individuals. 

 

H.B. 3503 will lower the population threshold to 120,000 to allow the Commissioners' courts of smaller counties to set the salary for their Auditors.

 

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. 3503 would lower the population threshold for a County Commissioner's court to set a county auditor's salary from a population of 500,00 to 120,000. 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.