SRC-JRN S.B. 236 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 236
By: Lindsay
Intergovernmental Relations
2-10-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, there exists no law enforcing the voting rights for qualified
voters in annexed municipal areas.  The concern is that residents will be
precluded from participating in a city election because of pending
approval by the United States Department of Justice.  S.B. 236 provides
for the enforcement of voting rights in annexed municipal  areas by making
void any election held where qualified voters are not allowed to vote. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 236 protects the voting rights of qualified voters in
annexed municipal areas. 

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 43Z, Local Government Code, by adding Section
43.905, as follows: 

 Sec. 43.905. EXTENSION OF VOTING RIGHTS TO RESIDENTS OF ANNEXED AREA.
Prohibits a municipality that annexes an area under Chapters 43B-E, Local
Government Code, from conducting an election unless the qualified voters
of the annexed area are allowed to vote in the election.  Provides that
election results are void if a municipality holds an election and the
residents of an annexed area described in Subsection (a) are not allowed
to vote in the election.  Sets forth types of elections to which this
section does not apply. 

SECTION 2. Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.