85R9223 DMS-D

By: Schofield H.B. No. 1607

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the posting of notices of elections and candidate filing procedures on bills or invoices sent to residents by municipal utility districts.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 54, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 54.104 to read as follows:

Sec. 54.104. NOTICES OF ELECTIONS AND CANDIDATE FILING PROCEDURE. (a) Not less than two months and not more than three months before the deadline for a candidate to file for a place on the ballot for the election of the board, a district shall print notice of the procedure for becoming eligible for candidacy on a bill or invoice that the district sends to residents. The notice shall include:

(1) a statement of the qualifications to be eligible for a place on the ballot;

(2) the method by which a resident may file for a place on the ballot, including the address of the place where the person must appear to file an intention to appear on the ballot or the mailing address where the person must send notice of an intention to appear on the ballot;

(3) the form, if any, required to be filled out by the candidate to qualify for a place on the ballot; and

(4) the deadline for filing for a place on the ballot.

(b) Not less than one month and not more than two months before the date of an election for the approval of bonds or the election of directors, a district shall print notice of the election on a bill or an invoice that the district sends to residents.

(c) A notice for a bond election shall state:

(1) the amount of bonds to be issued;

(2) the interest rate on the bonds;

(3) the purpose for which the bonds are to be issued; and

(4) the time and place of the election.

(d) A notice for a director election shall state:

(1) the names of the candidates; and

(2) the time and place of the election.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.