81R14083 SJM-F
 
  By: Harless H.B. No. 2529
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2529:
 
  By:  Castro C.S.H.B. No. 2529
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the terms of office of commissioners of certain
  emergency services districts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 775.0345(b), (h), and (i), Health and
  Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The governing body of a district consists of a
  five-person board of emergency services commissioners elected as
  prescribed by this section.  Except as provided by Subsection (h),
  emergency services commissioners serve four-year [two-year] terms.
         (h)  The initial emergency services commissioners' terms of
  office begin 30 days after canvassing of the election results.  The
  two commissioners who received the fewest votes serve a term that
  expires on December 31 of the second year following the year in
  which the election was held.  The other emergency services
  commissioners serve terms that expire on December 31 of the fourth
  year following the year in which the election was held.
         (i)  The board shall hold the general election for
  commissioner every two years [annually] on an authorized uniform
  election date as provided by Chapter 41, Election Code.  The board
  may change the election date from one authorized election date to
  another authorized election date and shall adjust the terms of
  office to conform to the new election date.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 775.035(a), (g), and (h), Health and
  Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The governing body of a district located in more than
  one county consists of a five-person board of emergency services
  commissioners elected as prescribed by this section.  Except as
  provided by Subsection (g), emergency services commissioners serve
  four-year [two-year] terms.
         (g)  The initial emergency services commissioners' terms of
  office begin 30 days after canvassing of the election results.  The
  two commissioners who received the fewest votes serve a term that
  expires on December 31 of the second year following the year in
  which the election was held.  The other emergency services
  commissioners serve terms that expire on December 31 of the fourth
  year following the year in which the election was held.
         (h)  The general election for commissioner shall be held
  every two years [annually] on an authorized uniform election date
  as provided by Chapter 41, Election Code. The board may change the
  election date from one authorized election date to another
  authorized election date and shall adjust the terms of office to
  conform to the new election date.
         SECTION 3.  (a)  The changes in law made by this Act do not
  affect the entitlement of a person who is a commissioner serving on
  an emergency services board immediately before the effective date
  of this Act to continue to carry out the board's functions for the
  remainder of the commissioner's term.
         (b)  This Act does not prohibit a person who is serving as a
  commissioner on or after the effective date of this Act from:
               (1)  running for election to the board if the person has
  qualifications required for a board member under Section 775.0345
  or 775.035, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act; or
               (2)  continuing to serve until the election and
  qualification of a new commissioner for that commissioner's
  position.
         (c)  Sections 775.0345 and 775.035, Health and Safety Code,
  as amended by this Act, govern all elections held after December 31,
  2009. An emergency services commissioner elected at any election
  held between July 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, shall serve until
  the November 2009 election. Commissioners elected at any election
  between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2008, shall serve until the
  May 2010 election. Commissioners elected at any election held
  between July 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008, shall serve until the
  November 2010 election. Commissioners elected at any election held
  between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2009, shall serve until the
  May 2012 election. Commissioners elected between July 1, 2009, and
  December 31, 2009, shall serve until the November 2012 election.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2010, but only
  if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 81st Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2009, to allow the legislature to provide for
  members of a governing board of an emergency services district to
  serve terms not to exceed four years is approved by the voters.  If
  that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no
  effect.