BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3243

By: Lozano

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that the governance structure of the Calhoun Port Authority should be improved, as the current board of commissioners is composed of six members, an even number, which has led to deadlock on a number of issues over the years. H.B. 3243 seeks to address this issue by expanding the board from six to seven members and including an at-large member.

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. 3243 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to increase the number of commissioners on the board of the Calhoun Port Authority from six to seven by including one commissioner elected by the voters of the entire district, in addition to the existing six members who each represent one of the six navigation commissioner precincts. The bill requires an application to be a candidate for the at-large commissioner position to include an affidavit made by the applicant under oath disclosing that the applicant is a bona fide resident of Calhoun County and is a qualified voter who owns real property in the area.

H.B. 3243 requires the Calhoun Port Authority to hold the first election to elect an at-large commissioner on the uniform election date in May 2027. The bill requires the governor, not later than the 30th day after the bill's effective date, to appoint an at-large commissioner to the Calhoun Port Authority's board to serve a term that expires on the date that the candidate elected to the office of the at-large commissioner in May 2027 qualifies to serve. The person appointed by the governor must meet the prescribed qualifications for a candidate for the position.

H.B. 3243 establishes that all applicable requirements relating to the following have been fulfilled and accomplished with respect to the bill:

· the legal notice of intention to introduce;

· governor action;

· Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recommendations; and

· the state constitution and laws and legislative rules and procedures.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.