SRC-AAA S.B. 1075 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1075
By: Ellis
State Affairs
4-16-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, local governments have large election expenditures.  This bill
directs the secretary of state to collect, maintain information on the
number of elections held in Texas and their administrative costs, conduct
an annual forum to allow election officials to exchange ideas on the
administration of elections and issues related to making elections in
Texas more efficient, and to reduce the number of Texas uniform election
dates from four to two. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1075 directs the secretary of state to collect, maintain
information on the number of elections held in Texas and their
administrative costs, conduct an annual forum to allow election officials
to exchange ideas on the administration of elections and issues related to
making elections in Texas more efficient, and to reduce the number of
Texas uniform election dates from four to two. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the secretary of state in SECTION 5 of
this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 41.001, Election Code, to delete requirements
that elections be held the third Saturday in January and the second
Saturday in August.  Deletes existing Subsection (b)(2), providing that
Subsection (a) does not apply to a local option election held under the
Alcoholic Beverage Code or an election held by a political subdivision
using the convention method of election.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 41.003, Election Code, to authorize general
elections for state  or county officers to be held for an election for the
issuance or assumption of bonds by a political subdivision. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 41.0052(a), Election Code, to authorize a
governing body of a political subdivision to change the date it hold
elections, no later than December 31, 1997.  Prohibits a new election on
the new date from being held before 1998, rather than 1994. 

SECTION 4. 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 information on the
administrative costs of elections.  Requires the secretary of state to
hold an annual forum on the administrative costs of elections and to make
recommendations on proposed changes in the election laws. 

SECTION 5. Sets forth duties of the secretary of state with regard to
designating the first election. Requires the secretary of state to adopt
rules and modify provisions regarding elections. Requires the
commissioners court of a county to decide certain matters concerning
elections.  Requires the secretary of state to file with the governor,
lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives, a
report, including making recommendations,  evaluating the report of the
mail ballot election. 

 SECTION 6. Repealer: Section 41.0051, Election Code (Election dates and
hours for voting). 

SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 8. Emergency clause.