BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1026
86R2757 ADM-F	By: Bettencourt
	Property Tax
	3/31/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 1026 requires that all elections related to the approval of the issuance of bonds or other debt be held on the November uniform election date, except for certain emergency elections.

Currently, bond elections are being held on random dates throughout the year. With dates in May, June, and July having turnouts under five percent, and some as low as one percent, it is time to end the "dog days of summer" elections.

Moving bond and other debt related to a uniform election date will ensure higher turnouts for these election and more local control from the voters.

As proposed, S.B. 1026 amends current law relating to a proposition to approve the issuance of bonds or other debt.

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 Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Election Code, by adding Section 41.0051, as follows:

Sec. 41.0051. PROPOSITION FOR APPROVAL OF ISSUANCE OF BONDS OR OTHER DEBT. (a) Requires a proposition for approval of the issuance of bonds or other debt to be submitted to the voters in an election held on the November uniform election date, except as provided by Subsection (b).

(b) Requires an emergency election under Section 41.0011 (Emergency Requiring Early Election) at which a proposition described by Subsection (a) is submitted to the voters, notwithstanding Section 41.0011(a) (relating to authorizing an election to be held on an earlier nonuniform date if the governor determines an emergency warrants the change), to be held on any uniform election date.

(c) Requires the authority administering the election, if a law outside this code requires a proposition described by Subsection (a) to be submitted to the voters in an election held on a date other than the November uniform election date, to set the election date to comply with this section.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2019.