HBA-CMT H.B. 2440 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2440 By: Krusee Urban Affairs 7/10/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority held a referendum in November 2000 for a light rail plan for Austin. Prior to the 77th Legislature, Capitol Metro was prohibited from holding another referendum on the plan for another year. However, voter turn out tends to be higher at elections in even numbered years. House Bill 2440 provides that any subsequent referendum for a rail plan held by certain rapid transit authorities must be held at the general election in November of an even numbered year. 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 2440 amends the Transportation Code to provide that a subsequent referendum for a rail plan held by a rapid transit authority in which the principal municipality has a population of less than 750,000 must be held at the general election in November of an even-numbered year. EFFECTIVE DATE June 11, 2001.