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.  C.S.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.

 

C.S.H.B. 360 amends current law relating to ballot language for a proposition to approve the imposition, increase, or reduction 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 submitted to the voters for approval of the issuance of bonds or the imposition, increase, or reduction of a tax, in addition to any other requirement imposed by law for a proposition, including a provision prescribing the proposition  language, to specifically state, as applicable:

 

(1) with respect to a proposition seeking voter approval of the issuance of bonds:

 

(A)  the total principal amount of the bonds to be authorized, if approved; and

 

(B)  a general description of the purposes for which the bonds are to be authorized, if approved;

 

(2)  with respect to a proposition that only seeks voter approval of the imposition or increase of a tax, the amount of or maximum tax rate of the tax or tax increase for which approval is sought; or

 

(3) with respect to a proposition that only seeks voter approval of the reduction of a tax, the amount of tax rate reduction or the tax rate for which approval is sought.

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2011.