S.B. No. 30
AN ACT
relating to ballot language requirements for a proposition seeking
voter approval for the issuance of bonds.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 45.003, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (g) and (h) to read as follows:
(g) Notwithstanding Section 1251.052, Government Code, the
question of whether to approve the issuance of bonds for the
construction, acquisition, and equipment of school buildings in the
district, the purchase of new school buses, and the purchase of
necessary sites for school buildings may be submitted to the voters
in a single ballot proposition, except that bonds for each of the
following purposes must be stated in a separate proposition:
(1) the construction, acquisition, or equipment of a
stadium with seating capacity for more than 1,000 spectators;
(2) the construction, acquisition, or equipment of a
natatorium;
(3) the construction, acquisition, or equipment of
another recreational facility other than a gymnasium, playground,
or play area;
(4) the construction, acquisition, or equipment of a
performing arts facility;
(5) the construction, acquisition, or equipment of
housing for teachers as determined by the district to be necessary
to have a sufficient number of teachers for the district; and
(6) an acquisition or update of technology equipment,
other than equipment used for school security purposes or
technology infrastructure integral to the construction of a
facility.
(h) The question of whether to approve the issuance of bonds
for a building described by Subsection (g)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5)
must be printed on the ballot as a separate ballot proposition
regardless of whether that building is proposed as part of the same
complex or building that contains traditional classroom
facilities. Each separate ballot proposition required by this
subsection must state the principal amount of the bonds to be issued
that constitutes the cost for construction of that portion of the
building or complex attributable to the building described by
Subsection (g)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) or to the traditional
classroom facilities, as applicable.
SECTION 2. Section 52.072(e), Election Code, is amended 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 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, the amount of
or maximum tax rate of the tax or tax increase for which approval is
sought; or
(2) [(3)] with respect to a proposition that only
seeks voter approval of the reduction of a tax, the amount of tax
rate reduction or the tax rate for which approval is sought.
SECTION 3. Chapter 1251, Government Code, is amended by
designating Sections 1251.001, 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 COUNTY AND
MUNICIPAL BOND ELECTIONS
SECTION 4. Chapter 1251, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. BALLOT FOR DEBT OBLIGATIONS ISSUED BY POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION
Sec. 1251.051. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Debt obligation" means a public security, as
defined by Section 1201.002, secured by and payable from ad valorem
taxes. The term does not include public securities that are
designated as self-supporting by the political subdivision issuing
the securities.
(2) "Political subdivision" means a municipality,
county, school district, or special taxing district.
Sec. 1251.052. FORM. (a) The ballot for a measure seeking
voter approval of the issuance of debt obligations by a political
subdivision shall specifically state:
(1) a plain language description of the single
specific purposes for which the debt obligations are to be
authorized;
(2) the total principal amount of the debt obligations
to be authorized; and
(3) that taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and
interest on the debt obligations will be imposed.
(a-1) Each single specific purpose for which debt
obligations requiring voter approval are to be issued must be
printed on the ballot as a separate proposition. A proposition may
include as a specific purpose one or more structures or
improvements serving the substantially same purpose and may include
related improvements and equipment necessary to accomplish the
specific purpose.
SECTION 5. Section 1251.002, Government Code, is repealed.
SECTION 6. The change in law made by this Act applies 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 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 30 passed the Senate on
April 11, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0;
May 23, 2019, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 23, 2019, House
granted request of the Senate; May 26, 2019, Senate adopted
Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31,
Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 30 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 137,
Nays 5, three present not voting; May 23, 2019, House granted
request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
May 26, 2019, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
following vote: Yeas 135, Nays 8, one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor