MAD H.B. 1627 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS ELECTIONS H.B. 1627 By: Clark 4-22-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Political advertising signs are required by law to have a notice which states that it cannot be placed in the right-of-way of a highway. This statute is found in Section 255.007 of the Election Code, which at present, incorrectly states that the violation is found in Article 2372cc, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, and Article 6674v 7, Revised Statutes. The correct reference is to Chapters 392 and 393, Transportation Code. PURPOSE This bill will clean up the language in the present statute to remove the incorrect reference, thereby eliminating misunderstandings as to the intent of the law. 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 255.007, Election Code, by: (a) replacing the reference to Article 2372cc, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, and Article 6674v 7, Revised Statutes with Chapters 392 and 393, Transportation Code, on the notice that must be written on each political advertising sign. The sign would read as follows: "NOTICE: IT IS A VIOLATION OF STATE LAW (CHAPTERS 392 AND 393, TRANSPORTATION CODE), TO PLACE THIS SIGN IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY OF A HIGHWAY; (d) provides an exception for any sign printed or made before September 1, 1997 that was in compliance with Subsection (a) before September 1, 1997. (e) Conforming change. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.