| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the review of ballot proposition language for certain |
|
|
political subdivision elections. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 52, Election Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Section 52.0721 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 52.0721. REVIEW OF BALLOT PROPOSITION LANGUAGE. (a) |
|
|
This section does not apply to an election for which a statute |
|
|
provides the ballot proposition language. |
|
|
(b) A political subdivision seeking to hold an election on a |
|
|
measure shall submit to the attorney general: |
|
|
(1) the ballot proposition language; and |
|
|
(2) a brief statement on the purpose of the |
|
|
proposition. |
|
|
(c) On receiving a submission under Subsection (b), the |
|
|
attorney general shall review the ballot proposition language |
|
|
before the election may be held. |
|
|
(d) If the attorney general finds the proposition is |
|
|
consistent with state law, the attorney general shall approve the |
|
|
language of the proposition for the ballot. |
|
|
(e) If the attorney general finds the proposition is not |
|
|
consistent with state law, the attorney general shall disapprove |
|
|
the language of the proposition. Language that has been |
|
|
disapproved under this subsection may not be used on the ballot at |
|
|
the election. |
|
|
(f) If the attorney general does not approve or disapprove |
|
|
the language of a proposition before the 40th day after the |
|
|
proposition was submitted, the proposition is approved for use on |
|
|
the ballot. |
|
|
(g) If a proposition is disapproved under Subsection (e), |
|
|
the political subdivision that submitted the proposition may submit |
|
|
alternate language in the same manner as the initial submission. |
|
|
(h) A political subdivision may not submit a proposition or |
|
|
alternate language under this section after the 120th day before |
|
|
the date of the election. |
|
|
(i) To the extent of a conflict between this section and any |
|
|
provision of law requiring a political subdivision to hold an |
|
|
election on a measure within a certain period, this section |
|
|
controls. |
|
|
(j) The attorney general may adopt rules to implement this |
|
|
section. |
|
|
SECTION 2. The change in law made by 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 in effect when the election was ordered, and the |
|
|
former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |