SRC-JLB H.B. 2684 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2684
78R10498 DRH-DBy: Denny (Staples)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/16/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current Texas law authorizes a city charter to prescribe requirements in
connection with a candidate's application for a place on the ballot for an
office of a home-rule city.  In 2002, the Texas Supreme Court overturned a
longstanding reading of the Texas Election Code by ruling that a city
charter could provide a different filing deadline for applications.  H.B.
2684 clarifies the Texas Election Code by providing that a home-rule city
charter can provide additional requirements regarding a candidate's
application but that the charter cannot provide a different deadline or
time period for filing of the application. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 143.005(a), Election Code, to provide that this
section does not authorize a city charter requirement in connection with
the timely filing of an application, and any charter requirement related
to an application's timely filing is superseded by Section 143.007 and
other applicable filing provisions prescribed by this code. 
 
SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.