BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 947

By: Workman

Elections

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to interested parties, while many political subdivisions in Texas hold elections on the November uniform election date, there are many that hold elections on the May uniform election date. Subdivisions holding elections on the November uniform election date benefit from the ability to hold joint elections with other political subdivisions, sharing election resources and saving taxpayer dollars. As such, the parties suggest, some political subdivisions holding elections on the May uniform election date would like the opportunity to move elections to the November date. C.S.H.B. 947 seeks to provide this opportunity.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 947 amends the Election Code to postpone from not later than December 31, 2012, to not later than December 31, 2016, the deadline by which the governing body of a political subdivision, other than a county or municipal utility district, that holds its general election for officers on a date other than the November uniform election date may change that election date to the November uniform election date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 947 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1. Section 41.0052(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) 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, not later than December 31, 2016 [2012], change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to the November uniform election date.	SECTION 1. Section 41.0052(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The governing body of a political subdivision, other than a county or municipal utility district, that holds its general election for officers on a date other than the November uniform election date may, not later than December 31, 2016 [2012], change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to the November uniform election date.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.