BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 5431

By: Gates

Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 5431 amends the Local Government Code to establish 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.