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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a requirement that the ballot for an election to amend |
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the state constitution include an estimate of the cost to the state |
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of the proposed amendment. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 274.001, Election Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 274.001. FORM OF AMENDMENT ON BALLOT; COST ESTIMATE. |
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SECTION 2. Section 274.001, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) For each proposition submitting a proposed |
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constitutional amendment, the secretary of state shall prepare for |
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placement on the ballot an estimate of the anticipated cost to the |
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state of the proposed amendment during the state fiscal biennium in |
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which the proposed amendment takes effect should the proposition be |
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approved at the election. The secretary of state may request the |
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assistance of the Legislative Budget Board in preparing the |
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estimate required by this subsection. |
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SECTION 3. Section 274.003(a), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) For each proposed constitutional amendment, the |
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secretary of state shall certify in writing for placement on the |
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ballot: |
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(1) the wording of the proposition submitting the |
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amendment; [and] |
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(2) the cost estimate prepared for the proposition |
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under Section 274.001(d); and |
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(3) the proposition's number. |
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SECTION 4. The secretary of state may adopt rules as |
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necessary to implement and administer Section 274.001(d), Election |
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Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a ballot for an election on a proposed constitutional amendment |
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ordered on or after the effective date of this Act. An election on a |
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proposed constitutional amendment ordered before the effective |
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date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the election |
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was ordered, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |