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.