BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 5431
89R15579 CS-F	By: Gates (Alvarado)
	Local Government
	5/21/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Under current law, a municipality that is divided into districts, wards, or other areas from which members of its governing body are elected must hold an election for every member of the governing body after each apportionment, including the mayor and at-large members, who are not otherwise affected by apportionment. H.B. 5431 seeks to clarify that the mayor of a municipality and at-large members of a municipal governing body do not need to be subject to this requirement. 

H.B. 5431 amends current law relating to the exclusion of at-large and mayoral seats from the requirement of re-election following apportionment.

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 the heading to Section 21.006, Local Government Code, to read as follows:

Sec. 21.006. ELECTION OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF GOVERNING BODY UPON APPORTIONMENT.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 21.006, Local Government Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c), as follows:

(a) Creates an exception under Subsection (c).

(c) Provides that a municipality that elects one or more members of its governing body at-large, including the office of mayor, is not required to hold an election for those positions following apportionment unless the term of office of the at-large member or mayor would otherwise expire under applicable law.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.