HBA-MPM H.B. 265 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 265 By: Hochberg Elections 2/10/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, those persons who intend to run for state senator or representative must file to run for office at their respective party's state or county office. This inhibits the ability of other persons to obtain information regarding candidates in a timely manner. H.B. 265 creates a uniform place for all persons who intend to run for senator or representative to file by moving the place of filing to the Secretary of State's office. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 172.022(a), Election Code, to provide that an application for a place on the general primary election ballot for the office of state senator or state representative be filed with the secretary of state. Redesignates existing Paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) to Paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3), respectively. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 172.028, Election Code, as follows: New title: CERTIFICATION OF NAMES FOR PLACEMENT ON GENERAL PRIMARY BALLOT. Deletes "state chair's" from existing title. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 3. Amends Section 172.054(b), Election Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 4. Amends Section 172.055(c), Election Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 5. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 173, Election Code, by adding Section 173.065, as follows: Sec. 173.065. FEE PAID TO SECRETARY OF STATE. Requires the secretary of state to deposit in or allocate among the filing fee accompanying an application for a place on the ballot to the appropriate primary fund. SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 7. Emergency clause.