BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.J.R. 59
By: Patrick, Dan
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In Harris County, there is always a need to find interested and capable citizens to serve as election clerks and judges at election time, as the county has 800 precinct polling locations needing 5,000 to 7,000 workers at a time. There are also over 300 municipal utility district boards of directors with about 1,500 members, many of whom are capable of serving in both capacities. The Texas Constitution currently prohibits a person from holding or exercising more than one civil office of emolument at the same time, however.
S.J.R. 59 proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize a member of the board of directors of a municipal utility district to serve as an election clerk or judge in an election, as provided by the legislature, in a county with a population of more than 500,000.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This joint resolution does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 40, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, by adding Subsection (e) to authorize an officer of a municipal utility district, as provided by the legislature, to serve as an election judge in a county with a population of more than 500,000, notwithstanding Subsection (a) (prohibiting a person from holding or exercising more than one civil office of emolument at the same time).
SECTION 2. Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November 8, 2005[sic]. Sets forth the required language for the ballot.