HBA-SEP, KDB H.B. 808 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 808
By: Hartnett
Judicial Affairs
2/26/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The purpose of the Commission on Uniform State Laws is to promote
uniformity in state laws through the work of commissioners sent by Texas
and other states to the National Conference on Uniform State Laws (NCUSL).
Current law provides for six commissioners to be appointed by the governor
to serve staggered six-year terms.  In addition, a Texan who has served as
a member for 15  years and as a judge or justice of a Texas trial or
appellate court for at least five years of combined service may be granted
lifetime membership.  The influence of these commissioners increases with
the size of the state's contingent, however there are currently several
states that are less populous than Texas which have more commissioners.
House Bill 808 expands the number of appointed commissioners, adds the
executive director of the Texas Legislative Council to the commission, and
extends lifetime membership to certain individuals.   

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 808 amends the Government Code to increase from six to nine the
number of members appointed by the governor to the Commission on Uniform
State Laws (commission).  The bill also adds to the commission the
executive director of the Texas Legislative Council or a person designated
by the executive director.  Qualifications for members who are residents of
this state having long service in the cause of uniformity on state
legislation are modified by providing that they have at least 20 years of
service representing the state as an associate member of the national
conference.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

July 1, 2001, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect on the 91st day after adjournment.