BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 177
86R992 JCG-D	By: Perry
	Intergovernmental Relations
	2/21/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current statute (Section 1113.053, Special District Local Laws Code) requires potential candidates for the Wilbarger Hospital Board to gather 100 signatures in order to have their name printed on the election ballot. The hospital district is looking to sunset this requirement, thereby helping reduce barriers for those who are interested in running for a position on the hospital board. Additionally, since Wilbarger Hospital District does not have a large population, there have been instances in which one person, as a result, signs multiple petitions for different candidates running for office. Signing multiple petitions is not allowed under law. This issue has caused problems for candidates seeking a fair election.

As proposed, S.B. 177 amends current law relating to a petition filed for a place on the ballot as a candidate for the board of directors of the Wilbarger County Hospital District.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1113.053, Special District Local Laws Code, as follows:

Sec. 1113.053. BALLOT PETITION. Deletes existing text requiring a petition to be signed by at least 100 registered voters for a person who wants to have the person's name printed on the ballot as a candidate for director of the Wilbarger County Hospital District.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019. �