By: Jackson, Isaac (Senate Sponsor - Duncan) H.B. No. 360

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 18, 2011; April 20, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; May 16, 2011, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 16, 2011, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 360 By: Duncan

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to ballot language for a proposition to approve the imposition, increase, or reduction of a tax or the issuance of bonds.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 52.072, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e) In addition to any other requirement imposed by law for a proposition, including a provision prescribing the proposition language, a proposition submitted to the voters for approval of the issuance of bonds or the imposition, increase, or reduction of a tax shall 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. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an election ordered on or after the effective date of this Act. An election ordered before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the election was ordered.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

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