BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2920

By: Reynolds

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The elected officials of the City of Richmond currently serve for a term of two years.  The Mayor and Commissioners are all up for election on the same uniform election day in May every even year.  With this current structure, a complete turnover of its elected officials in one year could occur, and thereby losing all experienced elected officials.  Moreover, there is no provision in the Local Government Code allowing for a General Law C city to adopt by ordinance, the manner in which it elects it's officials.

H.B.2920 will allow any General Law C city with a population over 10,000, the option to adopt an ordinance to allow for Commissioners to be elected in alternate years or in the same election year.

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.2920 amends Chapter 24 of the Local Government Code to allow a General Law C City with a population over 10,000, the option to adopt an ordinance to determine if commissioners may be elected in alternate years or the same election year.  The election shall be held on an authorized uniform election date as provided by Chapter 41 of the Election Code.   The change in law made by this H.B.2920 applies only to a General Law C city with a population over 10,000.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.