BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 240

By: Alonzo

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

As the Hispanic population in Texas continues to grow and become a majority category of the state's population,  it is imperative for the public entities of Texas to represent these constituents.  It is also important for local governmental bodies to meet the needs of changing demographics. 

H.B. 240 ensures that appointments to local governmental entities are made with consideration to race, ethnicity, and the geographic diversity of Texas and are reflective of the constituencies served by that governmental body. 

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. 240 amends the Local Government Code to remove the requirement that an appointment to the governing body of a local government be made as required by the law applicable to that local government, and to require, rather than authorize, that such an appointment be made with the intent to ensure that the governing body is representative of the local constituency.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.