SRC-MAX S.B. 44 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 44
By: Nelson
State Affairs
2-5-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the general primary date in Texas is the second Tuesday in
March.  The primary date had previously been the first Saturday in May
until it was changed in hopes that Texas would have a greater voice in the
selection of presidential candidates in comparison to other states.
However, competing jurisdictions have enacted earlier election dates
causing state and local candidates to campaign for extended periods of
time.  S.B. 44 moves the date of the general primary election to the first
Tuesday in May in even-numbered years as well as other relating election
dates.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 44 establishes new dates for general primary or special
elections, election procedures, and relating dates.   

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 Section 41.001(a), Election Code, to require one
general or special election, among those listed, in this state, except as
provided by this subchapter, to be held on the fourth Saturday in March,
rather than the first Saturday in May. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 41.0052(a), Election Code, to authorize a
governing body of a political subdivision other than a county, not later
than December 31, 1997, rather than 1993, to change the general election
date for election of officers to another authorized uniform election date.
Prohibits an election on the new date from being held before 1998. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Sections 41.007(a)-(c), Election Code, by redesignating
the dates for the general primary, the runoff primary election, and the
presidential primary election. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 172.023(a), Election Code,  to require an
application for a place on the general primary election ballot to be filed
by 6 p.m. on the first Monday in February, rather than January 2, in the
primary election year unless the filing deadline is extended under
Subchapter C. 

SECTION 5.  Provides that the term of a person serving as a county or
precinct chairman of a political party, on the effective date of this Act,
ends on the 20th day after the first Saturday in June 1998. 

SECTION 6.  Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 7.  Emergency clause.