83R3876 ATP-D
 
  By: S. Davis of Harris H.B. No. 785
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to ballot language for a proposition to approve the
  issuance or increase of debt.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 52.072(e), Election Code, is amended 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 other debt 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 or other debt:
                     (A)  the total principal amount of the bonds or
  other debt to be authorized, if approved; [and]
                     (B)  a general description of the purposes for
  which the bonds or other debt are to be authorized, if approved; and
                     (C)  the total debt accrued by the issuer as of the
  first day of the fiscal year in which the election is held and any
  additional debt authorized as of the date of the election;
               (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, 2013.