HBA-BSM H.J.R. 107 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 107 By: Garcia State Affairs 3/28/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas Senate consists of 31 members, a number mandated by the Texas Constitution in 1876. However, the Texas of today is a very different state from what it was in 1876, with a population that is far larger and much more ethnically diverse. Increasing the number of state senators from 31 to 50 members may increase African-American and Mexican-American representation. In addition, Texas will soon have 32 members in its congressional delegation to the United States House of Representatives, resulting in state senators having larger districts than members of Texas' congressional delegation. As proposed, House Joint Resolution 107 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment increasing the membership of the Texas Senate to 50 members. 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 107 amends the Texas Constitution to increase the Senate membership from 31 to 50 members. The bill requires the governor no later than the 30th day after the date of the election at which an increase in the membership of the legislature is approved to convene the legislature in special session to apportion the state into the appropriate number of districts as provided by this resolution. FOR ELECTION This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.