BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1545

By: Lewis

Elections

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Certain provisions of the Election Code are out of date.  C.S.H.B. 1545 seeks to remove a provision referring to certain authority that expired December 31, 2005, and extend from not later than December 31, 2010, to not later than December 31, 2012, the authority of certain political subdivisions to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to the November uniform election date. In addition, the bill seeks to repeal a provision relating to elections held on the spring uniform election date in certain political subdivisions.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1545 amends the Election Code to extend from not later than December 31, 2010, to not later than December 31, 2012, the date by which the governing body of a political subdivision, other than a county, that holds its general election for officers on a date other than the November uniform election date may change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to the November uniform election date. The bill removes a provision authorizing the governing body of a political subdivision other than a county, not later than December 31, 2005, to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to another authorized uniform election date.

C.S.H.B. 1545 repeals Section 41.0053, Election Code, requiring a general or special election of officers of certain political subdivisions to be held on the spring uniform date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1545 contains a provision not included in the original repealing Section 41.0053, Election Code, relating to elections on a spring uniform date in certain political subdivisions.