BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.H.B. 961
85R30343 MM-D	By: Rodriguez, Justin (Seliger)
	Higher Education
	5/15/2017
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Interested parties note the cost involved in certain elections, such as run-off elections, for junior college district trustee for both the candidates and the college. H.B. 961 seeks to reduce those costs by authorizing the election of trustees by plurality vote. (Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.H.B. 961 amends current law relating to the election of junior college district trustees.

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. Amends Section 130.082, Education Code, by adding Subsections (d-1) and (g-1), as follows:

(d-1) Requires that each position on the board of trustees, except as provided by Subsection (d) (relating to requirements, composition, elections, and powers of the governing board) or Section 130.0827 (Additional Trustees for Blinn Junior College District), be filled by election in accordance with this section (Governing Board of Junior College of Other Than Independent School District).

(g-1) Authorizes a certain governing board (board) by resolution, not later than the 180th day before the date of an election, to provide that a candidate is required to receive a plurality of the votes cast for a position to be filled at the election under Subsection (g) (relating to setting forth requirements for the election of board candidates). Provides that a resolution adopted under this subsection is effective for subsequent elections until rescinded by a subsequent resolution adopted not later than the 180th day before the date of the first election to which the rescission applies.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.