BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2985

By: Phillips

Government Transparency & Operation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the applicability of a provision establishing alternative requirements regarding the type of newspaper required for publication of governmental notice in certain counties that do not have the type of newspaper generally required for such publication is in need of an update to account for population growth. H.B. 2985 seeks to provide this update.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 2985 amends the Government Code to raise from 36,000 to 39,000 the population cap for a county to which statutory provisions apply relating to the type of newspaper required for publication of governmental notice in certain counties if the county has a population of at least 30,000 and borders the Red River. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.