86R6356 ADM-F
By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2219
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to ballot propositions authorizing political subdivisions
to issue bonds or other debt or to impose or change a tax.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 41.0051 to read as follows:
Sec. 41.0051. PROPOSITION FOR APPROVAL OF ISSUANCE OF BONDS
OR OTHER DEBT. (a) A proposition for approval of the issuance of
bonds or other debt shall be submitted to the voters in an election
held on the November uniform election date, except as provided by
Subsection (b).
(b) Notwithstanding Section 41.0011(a), an emergency
election under Section 41.0011 at which a proposition described by
Subsection (a) is submitted to the voters shall be held on any
uniform election date.
(c) If a law outside this code requires a proposition
described by Subsection (a) to be submitted to the voters in an
election held on a date other than the November uniform election
date, the authority administering the election shall set the
election date to comply with this section.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
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 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.