84R12188 NC-D

By: Coleman H.B. No. 2627

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to creation of a task force to study population growth in the state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. TASK FORCE TO STUDY POPULATION GROWTH IN TEXAS. (a) In this Act, "task force" means the Task Force to Study Population Growth in Texas established under this section.

(b) The Task Force to Study Population Growth in Texas is established for the purpose of assessing the effects of population growth in this state on:

(1) housing;

(2) businesses in this state;

(3) available land resources; and

(4) the state's economy.

(c) The task force is composed of the following nine members:

(1) three state or local officials appointed by the governor;

(2) three state or local officials appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

(3) three state or local officials appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(d) The members of the task force shall elect a presiding officer from among the membership.

(e) The offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives shall provide staff support to the task force.

(f) The task force shall hold public hearings to achieve the purpose described by Subsection (b) of this section.

(g) A member of the task force is not entitled to receive compensation for service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the task force.

(h) The task force may accept gifts and grants from any source to be used to carry out a function of the task force.

SECTION 2. FINAL REPORT. Not later than November 1, 2016, the task force shall submit a final report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature. The report shall include a summary and analysis of:

(1) hearings and studies conducted by the task force;

(2) legislation proposed by the task force; and

(3) other findings and recommendations made by the task force.

SECTION 3. APPOINTMENTS. Not later than December 1, 2015, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall make the appointments to the task force as described by Section 1(c) of this Act.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and this Act expires August 31, 2017.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2015.