HBA-MPM H.B. 265 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 265
By: Hochberg
Elections
2/10/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, those persons who intend to run for state senator or
representative must file to run for office at their respective party's
state or county office.  This inhibits the ability of other persons to
obtain information regarding candidates in a timely manner.  H.B. 265
creates a uniform place for all persons who intend to run for senator or
representative to file by moving the place of filing to the Secretary of
State's office.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 172.022(a), Election Code, to provide that an
application for a place on the general primary election ballot for the
office of state senator or state representative be filed with the secretary
of state.  Redesignates existing Paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) to Paragraphs
(a)(2) and (a)(3), respectively.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 172.028, Election Code, as follows:  New title:
CERTIFICATION OF NAMES FOR PLACEMENT ON GENERAL PRIMARY BALLOT.  Deletes
"state chair's" from existing title.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive
changes. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 172.054(b), Election Code, to make a conforming
change. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 172.055(c), Election Code, to make a conforming
change. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 173, Election Code, by adding
Section 173.065, as follows: 

Sec. 173.065.  FEE PAID TO SECRETARY OF STATE.  Requires the secretary of
state to deposit in or allocate among the filing fee accompanying an
application for a place on the ballot to the appropriate primary fund. 

SECTION 6.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 7.  Emergency clause.