87R5229 TSS-D
By: Thompson of Brazoria H.B. No. 4497
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to changing the date of an election during a declared
disaster.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 41.0012 to read as follows:
Sec. 41.0012. EMERGENCY REQUIRING POSTPONED ELECTION. (a)
This section applies only during a state of disaster or emergency
declared by the president of the United States or a state of
disaster declared by the governor under Chapter 418, Government
Code.
(b) Unless otherwise ordered by the governor, the governing
body of a political subdivision, other than a county, that holds an
election on a date other than the November uniform election date may
postpone the election to the third Saturday in August.
(c) A governing body postponing an election under this
section shall adjust the terms of office to conform to the new
election date.
(d) A change authorized under this section adopted in a
resolution by a home-rule city supersedes a city charter provision
to the extent of any conflict.
SECTION 2. 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 as it existed
immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.