81R11174 ALB-F By: Hilderbran H.B. No. 3841 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to requiring joint elections for trustees of common school districts. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 11, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 11.305 to read as follows: Sec. 11.305. JOINT ELECTIONS REQUIRED: COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT. (a) Notwithstanding former Section 22.02, as it existed on May 1, 1995, an election for trustees of a common school district shall be held on the same date as: (1) the election for the members of the governing body of a municipality located in the school district; or (2) the general election for state and county officers. (b) Elections held on the same date as provided by Subsection (a) shall be held as a joint election under Chapter 271, Election Code. (c) The voters of a joint election under this section shall be served by common polling places consistent with Section 271.003(b), Election Code. (d) The board of trustees of a common school district changing an election date to comply with this section shall adjust the terms of office of its members to conform to the new election date. SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2009, the board of trustees of a common school district must: (1) change the date on which the school district holds its general election for trustees to allow the district to hold its election on the same date as the election for members of the governing body of a municipality located in the school district or on the same date as the general election for state and county officers, as required by Section 11.305, Education Code, as added by this Act; and (2) adjust the terms of office of school district trustees as necessary to conform to the change of the election date made under Subdivision (1) of this section. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.