SRC-JRN H.B. 298 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 298
By: Madden (Ellis)
State Affairs
5-17-97
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law allows special elections for Alcoholic Beverage Code
options and bond elections for public schools and colleges to be held on
dates other than the Uniform Election Dates as established in the Election
Code.  Some voters may be confused about the nature of elections due to
varying dates.  This bill eliminates the exemption from uniform election
dates for certain entities holding elections related to various matters. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 298 eliminates the exemption from uniform election dates
for certain entities holding elections related to various matters. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 31A, Election Code, by adding Section 31.008, as
follows: 

Sec. 31.008. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION:  FORUM ON ELECTION COST SAVINGS.
Requires the secretary of state to collect and maintain information on the
number of elections held in this state and the administrative costs
associated with the elections.  Requires the secretary of state to conduct
an annual forum to allow election officials from political subdivisions to
exchange ideas on the administration of elections, including issues
related to cost savings and efficiency in the conduct of elections.
Requires election officials to be given the opportunity at the forum to
make recommendations on proposed changes in the election law. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 31.122, Election Code, to provide that a regular
business days means a day on which the school district's main business
office is regularly open for business, if the political subdivision is an
independent school district. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 41.0052(a), Election Code, to authorize the
governing body of a political subdivision other than a county to change
the date on which it holds its general election for officers to another
authorized uniform election date by December 31, 1997, rather than 1993.
Prohibits an election on the new date from being held before 1998, rather
than 1993. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 9.004(b), Local Government Code, to require the
ordinance ordering the election to provide for the election to be held on
the first authorized uniform election date prescribed by the Election Code
or on the earlier of the date of the next municipal general election or
presidential general election.  Requires the election date to allow
sufficient time to comply with other requirements of law and to occur by a
certain date. 

SECTION 5. (a) Amends Chapter 41A, Election Code, by adding Section
41.0031, as follows: 

Sec. 41.0031. ELECTIONS IN MARCH IN CERTAIN POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.  Sets
forth entities to which this section applies.  Requires a general or
special election of officers  of a political subdivision covered by this
section to be held on the fourth Saturday in March. 

(b) Amends Section 7(c), Chapter 429, Acts of the 70th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1987, to require directors elections to occur on the
fourth Saturday in March, rather than on the May general election date, of
even-numbered years. 

SECTION 6. Repealer:  Section 41.003, Election Code (Authorized November
Elections in EvenNumbered Years). 

SECTION 7. Sets forth provisions regarding effective dates of certain
provisions. 

SECTION 8. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amendment 1.  

Deletes SECTION 3.  Renumbers remaining SECTIONS accordingly.