BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4032

By: Gonzales, Larry

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties explain that political signs displayed on certain properties during public elections are exempted for a certain period from highway beautification requirements. The parties contend that this exemption is too limited. H. B. 4032 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. 4032 amends the Transportation Code to revise the conditions under which an exemption from provisions regarding highway beautification on certain roadways applies to a sign erected solely for and relating to a public election to add as an alternative to the sign being erected not earlier than the 90th day before the date of the election that the sign is erected not earlier than the 90th day before the first day of the early voting period for an election with early voting.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.