85R2033 ADM-F
By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 642
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to required disclosures in and to the length of ballot
proposition language authorizing political subdivisions to issue
bonds or impose or change a tax.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 52.072, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (f) to read as
follows:
(e) In addition to any other requirement imposed by law for
a proposition, including a provision prescribing the proposition
language, a proposition in an election of a political subdivision,
including a city, county, school district, or special taxing
district, submitted to the voters for approval of [the issuance of
bonds or] the imposition, increase, or reduction of a tax shall
specifically state, as applicable:
(1) [with respect to a proposition seeking voter
approval of the issuance of bonds:
[(A) the total principal amount of the bonds to
be authorized, if approved; and
[(B) a general description of the purposes for
which the bonds are to be authorized, if approved;
[(2)] with respect to a proposition that only seeks
voter approval of the imposition or increase of a tax:
(A) [,] the amount of or maximum tax rate of the
tax or tax increase for which approval is sought;
(B) the estimated additional tax burden that
would be imposed on a homestead with a value equal to the median
homestead value in the political subdivision, as computed by the
appraisal district, after the imposition or increase of the tax, if
approved; and
(C) a detailed description of the purposes for
which the tax is to be imposed or increased, if approved; or
(2) [(3)] with respect to a proposition that only
seeks voter approval of the reduction of a tax:
(A) [,] the amount of tax rate reduction or the
tax rate for which approval is sought; and
(B) the estimated tax reduction for a homestead
with a value equal to the median homestead value in the political
subdivision, as computed by the appraisal district, if the
reduction of the tax is approved.
(f) A proposition to which Subsection (e) applies or for
approval of the issuance of bonds may not exceed:
(1) 5,000 characters; or
(2) a different limit prescribed by the secretary of
state that ensures that the length of the proposition does not
exceed one page of the ballot or one screen on an electronic voting
machine.
SECTION 2. Chapter 1251, Government Code, is amended by
designating Sections 1251.001, 1251.002, 1251.003, 1251.004,
1251.005, and 1251.006 as Subchapter A and adding a subchapter
heading to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER A. PROVISIONS RELATING GENERALLY TO BOND ELECTIONS
SECTION 3. Chapter 1251, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. BALLOT PROPOSITION FOR BONDS ISSUED BY POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION
Sec. 1251.051. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies to
bonds issued by any political subdivision, including a
municipality, county, school district, or special taxing district.
Sec. 1251.052. FORM. A proposition seeking voter approval
of the issuance of bonds shall specifically state:
(1) a general description of the purposes for which
the bonds are to be authorized;
(2) the total principal amount of the bonds;
(3) the total amount of the political subdivision's
debt secured by ad valorem taxes currently outstanding;
(4) the total amount of the political subdivision's
current payments on debt secured by ad valorem taxes;
(5) the amount of taxes required to be imposed on a
homestead with a value equal to the median homestead value in the
political subdivision, as computed by the appraisal district, to
repay the political subdivision's current debt obligations secured
by ad valorem taxes; and
(6) the estimated tax burden that would be imposed on a
homestead with a value equal to the median homestead value in the
political subdivision, as computed by the appraisal district, to
repay the bonds to be authorized, if approved.
SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a ballot for an election ordered on or after the effective date of
this Act. An election ordered before the effective date of this Act
is governed by the law in effect when the election was ordered, and
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.