BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2133

By: Thimesch

Elections

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, passed S.B. 733, which allowed certain political subdivisions to change the date on which they hold their elections to the November uniform election date. Some cities that chose to change their election date as such are now concerned that state and federal elections overshadow local municipal elections, and believe that a separate local election in May will better serve their electorate. C.S.H.B. 2133 seeks to address these concerns by providing for certain political subdivisions to hold local elections on the May 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. 2133 amends the Election Code to authorize the governing body of a political subdivision, other than a county or municipal utility district, that holds its general election for officers on the November uniform election date to change the date on which it holds such an election to the May uniform election date. The authorization applies only to a municipality through which State Highway 121 runs that meets the following criteria:

·         has a population of more than 30,000; and

·         is wholly located in a county with a population of more than 500,000 that borders two counties, each of which has a population of more than 2 million.

The bill establishes December 31, 2024, as the deadline for making the change.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2133 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.

While both the introduced and substitute authorize the governing body of certain political subdivisions to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to the May uniform election date, the substitute limits the applicability of this authorization to a municipality through which State Highway 121 runs that meets certain population and location criteria, whereas the introduced did not limit that applicability.