HBA-JLV, SEP H.J.R. 20 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 20
By: Keffer
State Affairs
2/26/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Constitution provides that the Texas House of Representatives
consist of 150 members. Current 2000 census data indicates that the
population of Texas is roughly 21 million, with a representation ratio of
approximately 140,000 to one.  As the population increases in Texas, there
will be a growing disproportion between the number of citizens and their
chosen representatives.  As proposed, House Joint Resolution 20 requires
the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment authorizing the
legislature to increase the number of members of the Texas House of
Representatives. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

House Joint Resolution 20 amends the Texas Constitution to authorize the
legislature to increase the number of members of the Texas House of
Representatives by no more than five after publication of each United
States decennial census with the number of members not to exceed 200.  An
increase in the number of house members applies to each apportionment of
the house that occurs after the publication of the decennial census.  The
bill prohibits the legislature from increasing the number of house members
before the publication of the decennial census for the year 2010, a
provision that expires January 1, 2013. 
 FOR ELECTION
This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at
an election to be held November 6, 2001.