BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 408

By: King, Phil

State Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Established as the state agency for historic preservation, the Texas Historical Commission is currently composed of 17 members serving staggered six-year terms. C.S.H.B. 408 seeks to create a smaller, more efficient historical commission by reducing the number of members serving on the commission, with the governor designating which members' positions are abolished to create the smaller board.

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

C.S.H.B. 408 amends the Government Code to decrease from 17 to nine the number of members of the Texas Historical Commission and provides for the phased reduction in the number of members as designated by the governor.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 408 may differ from the original in nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantive differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Sections 442.002(b) and (c), Government Code, are amended.	SECTION 1. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 2.  (a) Of the five positions on the Texas Historical Commission that have terms scheduled to expire on February 1, 2015, two of the positions are abolished on September 1, 2013. (b)  Of the six positions on the Texas Historical Commission that have terms scheduled to expire on February 1, 2017, three of the positions are abolished on September 1, 2013. (c)  Of the six positions on the Texas Historical Commission that have terms scheduled to expire on February 1, 2019, three of the positions are abolished on September 1, 2013. (d)  On or before September 1, 2013, the governor shall designate which members' positions shall be abolished on September 1, 2013, and shall inform the presiding officer of the Texas Historical Commission which positions are abolished.	SECTION 2.  (a) Two of the five positions on the Texas Historical Commission with terms scheduled to expire on February 1, 2015, are abolished on that date. (b)  Two of the six positions on the Texas Historical Commission with terms scheduled to expire on February 1, 2017, are abolished on that date. (c)  Of the six positions on the Texas Historical Commission with terms that, immediately before the effective date of this Act, are scheduled to expire on February 1, 2019, four of the positions are abolished on September 1, 2013. (d)  In appointing members to the Texas Historical Commission for terms scheduled to begin February 1, 2015, the governor shall appoint one member to the commission for a term expiring February 1, 2019, and two members to the commission for terms expiring February 1, 2021. (e)  In appointing members to the Texas Historical Commission for terms scheduled to begin February 1, 2017, the governor shall appoint one member to the commission for a term expiring February 1, 2021, and three members to the commission for terms expiring February 1, 2023. (f)  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the governor shall designate which members' positions shall be abolished as provided by this section and shall inform the presiding officer of the Texas Historical Commission which positions are abolished.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.	SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.