BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2754

By: Capriglione

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, candidates for certain judicial offices are required to submit a petition with a minimum number of valid signatures in order to get a place on a primary ballot for an election. Interested parties contend that this requirement could present an impediment for a person who otherwise might apply for a place on the ballot. H.B. 2754 seeks to address this issue.

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. 2754 repeals Sections 172.021(e) and (g), Election Code, setting out petition signature requirements for the petitions that candidates for certain judicial offices must submit with their respective applications for a place on the general primary election ballot, which vary with respect to whether a candidate chooses to submit the applicable filing fee with that application or chooses to file a petition in lieu of the filing fee.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.