78R3819 JRJ-F

By:  Seaman                                                       H.B. No. 1271



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the uniform election date for certain cities.                     
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 41.0051, Election Code, is amended to 
read as follows:   
	Sec. 41.0051.  GENERAL ELECTION IN CERTAIN [COASTAL] CITIES 
WITH CONFLICTING ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY EVENT.  (a)  A city may hold 
its [The] general election for officers [of a city that borders the 
Gulf of Mexico, has a population of more than 230,000 according to 
the 1980 census, and held its general election for officers in 1987 
on the first Saturday in April may be held] on any Saturday in April 
in odd-numbered years if:
		(1)  the city has regularly held a major community 
event on the first Saturday in May for at least 20 years;
		(2)  the city's governing body determines that:                        
			(A)  rescheduling the community event would be 
impractical or undesirable; and
			(B)  holding an election on the same day as the 
community event would significantly reduce voter participation 
because of the large number of registered voters participating in 
the community event; and
		(3)  for a home-rule city, the city's charter permits 
holding the election in April.
	(b)  If the governing body of the city holds an election 
under this section, the election date may be used:
		(1)  for any other election of the city; or                            
		(2)  by another political subdivision located wholly or 
partly in the territory of the city to allow for a joint election 
under Chapter 271.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.