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with the timely filing of an application, and any charter requirement related to an application's timely filing is superseded by Section 143.007 and other applicable filing provisions prescribed by this code.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.