BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2150
By: Patrick, Dan
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In the next 20 years, the population of Texas is expected to double. The budget of the State of Texas continues to grow in size and complexity. The current structure of the Texas Legislature may become antiquated once this growth comes to fruition.
As proposed, S.B. 2150 seeks to establish a bipartisan commission appointed by the leadership of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Office of the Governor. The commission would meet at least twice to study this situation and recommend changes before the next legislative session in 2011.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. (a) Provides that the Vision 2040 Study Commission (commission) is created as provided by this section.
(b) Provides that this bipartisan commission is composed of eleven members as follows:
(1) three members appointed by the governor;
(2) four members appointed by the lieutenant governor; and
(3) four members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(4) a chairman of the commission will be elected by a majority vote of the members.
(c) Provides that each member of the commission serves at the will of the person who appointed the member.
(d) Provides that a member of the commission is not entitled to receive compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the commission, as provided by the General Appropriations Act.
(e) Authorizes the commission to accept gifts and grants from any source to be used to carry out a function of the commission.
(f) Requires the commission to meet at least twice and authorizes the commission to conduct public hearings.
(g) Requires the commission to study the practices and procedures of the Texas Legislature and recommend constitutional and statutory changes that ensure its ability to efficiently represent a rapidly growing population.
(h) Requires the commission, not later than December 1, 2010, to issue a report summarizing its findings and recommendations.
(i) Requires the commission to promptly deliver copies of the report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives. Requires that electronic versions be made available to the public.
SECTION 2. Requires the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives, not later than September 1, 2009, to appoint members to the commission established under Section 1 of this Act.
SECTION 3. Provides that this Act expires and the commission is abolished on January 1, 2011.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2009.