Texas House Bill HB2529

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/23/09
• Voted on by House: 5/1/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/18/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/21/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/23/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the terms of office of commissioners of certain emergency services districts.

Impact

The bill's amendments aim to create a more stable governance structure for emergency services districts by allowing commissioners to hold their positions for longer periods. This change is anticipated to enhance continuity and institutional memory within the districts, potentially leading to better management of emergency services. However, the transition to four-year terms means that elections will be less frequent, which could affect the representation of community interests if populations change or if there are shifts in community needs over an extended period.

Summary

House Bill 2529 focuses on the terms of office for commissioners of certain emergency services districts in Texas. The bill amends the existing Health and Safety Code to change the terms of office for emergency services commissioners from two years to four years, thereby increasing the term length for newly elected commissioners. The structure of the board remains a five-person governing body, and elections are still held every two years, but with adjustments to the term expirations based on the election outcomes.

Contention

As with many legislative changes, there may be points of contention surrounding the shift to longer terms for commissioners. Some might argue that four-year terms could lessen accountability and responsiveness to the public, as more time between elections might distance commissioners from immediate community concerns. Others may support the bill, seeing it as a necessary adjustment to encourage experienced leadership within emergency services, vital for maintaining effective operations during critical situations.