BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1548 89R1603 AMF-D By: Zaffirini Local Government 3/21/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The current threshold for voter-initiated amendments to the city charter (equivalent to a city's constitution) in large cities allows a small portion of the population to make significant changes, as a petition can be triggered by either five percent of qualified voters or 20,000 voters, whichever is smaller. This low threshold can result in long-lasting changes made by a small group of voters. S.B. 1548 would raise the threshold by removing the option of 20,000 voters, ensuring that only five percent of qualified voters can place an amendment on the ballot. By requiring broader voter support, this bill protects against small, narrowly focused groups enacting major changes and ensures that any amendments to a city's charter are backed by a more representative portion of the population. As proposed, S.B. 1548 amends current law relating to the requirements for a petition proposing an amendment to the charter of a home-rule municipality. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 9.004(a), Local Government Code, as follows: (a) Requires the governing body of a municipality to submit a proposed charter amendment to the voters for their approval at an election if the submission is supported by a petition signed by a number of qualified voters of the municipality equal to at least five percent of the number of qualified voters of the municipality, rather than five percent of the number of qualified voters of the municipality or 20,000, whichever number is the smaller. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1548
89R1603 AMF-D By: Zaffirini
Local Government
3/21/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1548
89R1603 AMF-D
By: Zaffirini
Local Government
3/21/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The current threshold for voter-initiated amendments to the city charter (equivalent to a city's constitution) in large cities allows a small portion of the population to make significant changes, as a petition can be triggered by either five percent of qualified voters or 20,000 voters, whichever is smaller. This low threshold can result in long-lasting changes made by a small group of voters. S.B. 1548 would raise the threshold by removing the option of 20,000 voters, ensuring that only five percent of qualified voters can place an amendment on the ballot. By requiring broader voter support, this bill protects against small, narrowly focused groups enacting major changes and ensures that any amendments to a city's charter are backed by a more representative portion of the population.
As proposed, S.B. 1548 amends current law relating to the requirements for a petition proposing an amendment to the charter of a home-rule municipality.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 9.004(a), Local Government Code, as follows:
(a) Requires the governing body of a municipality to submit a proposed charter amendment to the voters for their approval at an election if the submission is supported by a petition signed by a number of qualified voters of the municipality equal to at least five percent of the number of qualified voters of the municipality, rather than five percent of the number of qualified voters of the municipality or 20,000, whichever number is the smaller.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.