HBA-JLV H.B. 2459 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2459
By: Ehrhardt
Higher Education
4/1/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires certain community college board of trustees (board) to
divide the district into seven or nine equal trustee districts.  Many
community college districts in metropolitan areas of the state already have
nine trustees, rather than the required seven.  Due to the growing
population in many metropolitan areas, community members in districts with
seven trustees believe that an increased number of trustees would better
represent community interests.  Current statutes need to be clarified to
allow certain districts to increase their membership.  House Bill 2459
requires the board to redivide the district into the appropriate number of
districts with an equal number of inhabitants in each district. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2459 amends the Education Code to require the board of trustees
(board) of certain countywide community college districts to redivide the
district into the appropriate number of trustee districts within 90 days
following the effective date of an order or resolution of the board to
increase the number of board members from seven to nine.  The bill requires
the members of the board to serve for staggered terms of six years with the
terms of one-third of the members, as nearly as may be, expiring in each
even-numbered year.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.