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.