BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2354

By: Farney

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the recent rescheduling of national and state political party conventions poses a problem for the attendees of the state convention, as some attendees are also volunteers for municipal elections held on the same weekend as the state convention. Given the size of the state convention and the planning needed for it, the convention date and venue would need to be scheduled many years in advance to avoid this conflict. Therefore, these parties contend that it is easier to change the municipal election date than it is to reschedule the convention and find a new convention venue. H.B. 2354 seeks to remedy this situation.

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

H.B. 2354 amends the Election Code to change the date on which a general or special election in an odd-numbered year must be held from the second Saturday in May to the first Saturday in May. The bill changes the date on which a general or special election held by a political subdivision other than a county in an even-numbered year must be held from the second Saturday in May to the first Saturday in May.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.