BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 365

By: Springer

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that elections for local officials and relating to the issuance of bonds would increase voter turnout if they were to occur on a standard November election date.
H.B. 365 seeks to study the feasibility and desirability of implementing a single uniform election held in November.

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. 365 amends the Election Code to require the secretary of state no later than January 1, 2018, to conduct a study and report to the standing committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over election procedures recommendations regarding the feasibility of implementing a single uniform election held in November. The bill requires that the study include an explanation and investigation of the experience of jurisdictions, including other states, that have implemented this practice; the anticipated cost expenditures or savings to the state and counties upon implementation of this practice; and the anticipated increase or decrease in voter turnout upon implementation of this practice. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2018.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.