MAD C.S.H.B. 32 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS ELECTIONS C.S.H.B. 32 By: Greenberg 4-8-97 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND The holding of March primaries in Texas does not allow voters enough time to focus on state races, which can lead to voter inattention and apathy toward the primary process. Also, the scheduling of the March primary decreases the time that lesser known challengers can develop substantial campaigns. PURPOSE This bill would shorten the election cycle by changing the primary election date to the first Saturday in May for both gubernatorial and presidential election years. This bill also substitutes the fourth Saturday in March as a general or special election date instead of the first Saturday in May. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1: Amends Section 41.001 (a) of the Election Code by designating the fourth Saturday in March as a general or special election date and eliminating the first Saturday in May as a general or special election date. SECTION 2: Amends Section 41.0052(a) of the Election Code by allowing a governing body of a political subdivision to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to another authorized uniform election date before, but not later than December 31, 1999. The election on a new date may not be held before 2000. SECTION 3: Amends Section 41.007(a) of the Election Code by designating the first Saturday in May as the general primary election date in each even-numbered year. Amends Section 41.007(b) of the Election Code by designating the first Saturday in June as the runoff primary election date. Amends Section 41.007(c) of the Election Code by designating the first Saturday in May as the presidential primary date. SECTION 4: Amends Section 172.023 (a) of the Election Code by designating the last Monday in February as the filing deadline in the primary election year. These dates would apply unless the filing deadline is extended under Subchapter C. SECTION 5: Ends the term of a person serving as a county or precinct chairman on the effective date of this bill on the 20th day after the first Saturday in June 2000. SECTION 6: Effective Date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 7: Emergency Clause. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE SECTION 2 Section 41.0052(a), Election Code. Changes the implementation date of the change in election dates from the year 1998 to the year 2000. SECTION 4. Section 172.023(a), Election Code. Changes the filing deadline for the general primary election date from the first Monday in February to the last Monday in February. SECTION 5 Changes the end of the term of a person serving as a county or precinct chairman on the effective date of this bill from the 20th day after the first Saturday in June 1998 to the 20th day after the first Saturday in June 2000. SECTION 6 Changes the effective date of the bill from September 1, 1997 to September 1, 1999.