SRC-LBB S.J.R. 51 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.J.R. 51
78R3022 ATP-DBy: Van de Putte
State Affairs
4/15/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 
 
This resolution is the enabling legislation to S.B. 1213 which would allow
local governing bodies to omit names of uncontested candidates in local
races from the ballot in certain circumstances.  As proposed, S.J.R. 51
requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment to
authorize the legislature to permit a person to assume an office of a
political subdivision if the person is the only candidate to qualify in an
election for that office. 

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 Article XVI, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 13A,
as follows: 

Sec. 13A.  Authorizes the legislature to provide by general law for a
person to assume an office without an election if the person is the only
candidate to qualify in an election to be held for that office, for an
office of a political subdivision for which this constitution requires an
election. 

SECTION 2.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2003.
Requires the ballot to be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to
permit a person to assume an office of a political subdivision without an
election if the person is the only candidate to qualify in an election for
that office."