AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current law allows a local taxing entity to write proposed ballot language for a proposition to issue bonds or impose or increase a tax that obscures the intended use for the additional funding being requested.  H.B. 360 requires such ballot language to state the total dollar amount of bonds to be issued or the amount of the tax or tax rate increase being proposed and any projects to be supported by the bonds.

 

H.B. 360 amends current law relating to ballot language for a proposition to approve the imposition or increase of a tax or the issuance of bonds.

 

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 52.072, Election Code, by adding Subsection (e), as follows:

 

(e)  Requires that a proposition allowing the voters to approve the imposition or increase of a tax or the issuance of bonds, in addition to any other requirement imposed by law for a proposition, including a provision prescribing the proposition  language, to specifically state:

 

(1)  as applicable:

 

(A)  the total dollar amount of bonds that will be issued; or

 

(B)  the amount of the tax or tax rate increase; and

 

(2)  in plain language and in not more than three sentences, any projects to be supported by the bonds.

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2011.