HBA-GUM H.B. 3257 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3257
By: Homer
Elections
4/19/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The City of Ravenna, Fannin County, has requested that it be allowed to
change its current general election date from the November election date,
to the new municipal general election date, which is the first Saturday in
May.  The change would allow Ravenna to comply with the state-suggested
election pattern for municipalities as well as allow potential savings by
enabling the city to hold joint elections with the local school district.
H.B. 3257 extends from December 31, 1997 to December 31, 1999 the last date
by which the governing body of a political subdivision other than a county
may change the date of its general election, and provides that an election
on the new date cannot be held before 2000, rather than 1998. 

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 41.0052(a), Election Code, to extend from
December 1, 1997 to December 1, 1999 the last date by which the governing
body of a political subdivision other than a county may change the date on
which it holds its general election for officers.  Provides that an
election on the new date cannot be held before 2000, rather than 1998. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.