BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 824

By: Buckley

Elections

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Certain political subdivisions report that it is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to continue with elections held in May, given that county election administrators are not required to assist other local governments with May elections in the same way that they are required to support elections held in November. C.S.H.B. 824 seeks to address this issue by authorizing the governing body of certain cities to change the date on which the city holds its general election for officers to the November uniform election date.

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

C.S.H.B. 824 amends the Election Code, in provisions that expire on January 1, 2025, to authorize the governing body of a city that is intersected by State Highway 195 and Interstate Highway 14 and that holds its general election for officers on a uniform election date in May, not later than December 31, 2024, to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to the November uniform election date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 824 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

Whereas the introduced authorized the governing body of any political subdivision, other than a county or municipal utility district, to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to the November uniform election date if that election is currently held on any other date, the substitute authorizes only the governing body of a city that is intersected by State Highway 195 and Interstate Highway 14 to make that change.