By: Thompson of Brazoria H.B. No. 144
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to changing the date of an election during a declared
  disaster.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Election Code, is
  amended by adding Section 41.0012 to read as follows:
         Sec. 41.0012.  EMERGENCY REQUIRING POSTPONED ELECTION. (a)
  This section applies only during a state of disaster or emergency
  declared by the president of the United States or a state of
  disaster declared by the governor under Chapter 418, Government
  Code.
         (b)  Unless otherwise ordered by the governor, the governing
  body of a political subdivision, other than a county, that holds an
  election on a date other than the November uniform election date may
  postpone the election to the third Saturday in August. 
         (c)  A governing body postponing an election under this
  section shall adjust the terms of office to conform to the new
  election date.
         (d)  A change authorized under this section adopted in a
  resolution by a home-rule city supersedes a city charter provision
  to the extent of any conflict.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies only to an election ordered on
  or after the effective date of this Act. An election ordered before
  the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed
  immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.