HBA-JEK S.B. 79 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 79
By: Shapiro
Elections
4/16/2001
 Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires each general or special election in the state to be
held on a uniform election date, but exempts 10 types of elections from
this requirement.  The number of elections held outside of the uniform
election dates has led to confusion in some communities and to speculation
over "turnout burnout" among voters resulting in diminished participation.
Senate Bill 79 changes two uniform election dates and decreases the
elections that may be held outside of uniform election dates. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 79 amends the Election, Education, Local Government, and Water
codes to change certain dates on which general or special elections may be
held to the first Saturday in February rather than the third Saturday in
January and the second Saturday in September rather than the second
Saturday in August. The bill deletes provisions that exempt from the
uniform election dates a local option election held under the Alcoholic
Beverage Code, an election held by a political subdivision using the
convention method, an election to recall an officer of a political
subdivision, certain elections for the issuance or assumption of bonds or
the levy of tax for the maintenance of a public school or college, and an
election for the creation of a crime control and prevention district.   
S.B. 79 prohibits an election for an office in which a majority vote is
required from being held on the February or September uniform election
dates. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.