C.S.H.B. 2183 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 2183
By: Bohac
Elections
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1997, the legislature removed the provision requiring a proposed
charter amendment brought by citizen initiative to be placed on the ballot
on the first authorized uniform election date and added the option of
postponing the election for the approval of amendments until the earlier
of the next municipal general election or the next presidential general
election.  The added options for election dates allowed some
municipalities to delay approval of the charter amendments , in some
cases, for several years.  CSHB 2183 would remove this option and require
the municipality to hold such elections on the first authorized uniform
election date. 


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. 


ANALYSIS

CSHB 2183 amends the Local Government Code by deleting the provision
authorizing the election for approval of proposed amendments to a
home-rule municipality charter to be held on the earlier date of the next
municipal general election or presidential general election. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

CSHB 2183 modifies the original by changing the effective date from on
passage to September 1, 2003.  The substitute conforms to Texas
Legislative Council drafting style and removes language in the original
requiring the provisions of the bill to apply to all charter amendment
elections ordered to be held after September 1, 2003.