Relating to the composition of the board of the Calhoun Port Authority.

BILL ANALYSIS

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, the board of navigation commissioners of the Calhoun Port Authority (board) is made up of six members, creating the opportunity for inefficiency and a gridlocked board. As a result, the port suffers. S.B. 1733 adds another member to the board, bringing the total membership up to an odd number (seven), providing a tie-breaking vote in the event of gridlock. This bill brings the port in-line with other state ports that have odd numbered boards such as Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Houston, and Orange.

The bill as filed calls for the election of the seventh commissioner by voters of the whole district. The first new commissioner shall be appointed by the governor upon passage of the bill, then be subject to an election in May 2027.

As proposed, S.B. 1733 amends current law relating to the composition of the board of the Calhoun Port Authority.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 5003.051, Special District Local Laws Code, to provide that the Calhoun Port Authority (port authority) is governed by a board of navigation commissioners of the port authority (board) of seven, rather than six, commissioners.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 5003.053, Special District Local Laws Code, as follows:

Sec. 5003.053.� ELECTION; TERMS. (a) Provides that one board member (commissioner) is elected by the voters of the entire district. Provides that one commissioner is elected from each of the six navigation commissioner precincts as described by Section 5003.052 (Navigation Precincts).

(b) Creates this subsection from existing text. Requires the commissioners who represent the six precincts who are elected, rather than the six commissioners elected, at the first election after a division of the port authority into new precincts under Section 5003.052 to draw lots after the election to select three commissioners to serve two-year terms and three commissioners to serve four-year terms. Makes a conforming change.

(c) Redesignates existing Subsection (b) as Subsection (c) and makes a conforming change.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 5003.054(b), Special District Local Laws Code, as follows:

(b) Requires that the application to have a person's name placed on the ballot include an affidavit made by the applicant under oath disclosing that the applicant meets certain criteria, including that the applicant is a bona fide resident of, if the applicant seeks to represent a precinct, the precinct that the person seeks to represent or, if the applicant seeks to represent the district at large, Calhoun County. Makes a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 4. (a) Requires the port authority to hold the first election to elect an at-large commissioner, as provided by Section 5003.053, Special District Local Laws Code, as amended by this Act, on the uniform election date in May 2027.

(b) Requires the governor, not later than the 30th day after the effective date of this Act, to appoint an at-large commissioner to the board to serve a term that expires on the date that the candidate elected to the office of the at-large commissioner in May 2027 qualifies to serve. Requires the person appointed by the governor to meet the qualifications provided by Section 5003.054(b), Special District Local Laws Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 5. Provides that all requirements of the constitution and laws of this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are fulfilled and accomplished.

SECTION 6. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.