BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1361

By: Shine

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Counties in Texas with populations less than 40,000 may order a nonbinding referendum on the ballot on any matter affecting county property. Although rarely used, this helps the county administration gauge public interest on specific issues regarding property matters. It has been noted that some counties encompassing military bases are not able to order this nonbinding referendum because their populations are well over the population threshold, even though their non-base population is significantly smaller. H.B. 1361 seeks to remedy this situation by revising the counties to which this authorization applies.

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. 1361 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 300,000 and in which the most populous military base in Texas is wholly or partly located to order a nonbinding referendum in the county on any matter affecting county property. The referendum must be held on an authorized uniform election date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.