BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 533 89R1496 MLH-D By: Sparks State Affairs 3/11/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Currently, bond elections can be held on the uniform election date in May or November. The elections held in May often have extremely low turnout compared to November. This causes concern that a small number of voters will determine whether a county implements a tax increase or bond. This legislation requires that any election for issuing bonds, incurring debt, or increasing taxes must be held on the November uniform election date. It also prohibits such elections from being conducted as emergency elections. If any law mandates holding these elections on a different date, the election authority must reschedule them to comply with this requirement. As proposed, S.B. 533 amends current law relating to the election date for the authorization of the issuance of bonds or a tax increase. 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 Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Election Code, by adding Section 41.0051, as follows: Sec. 41.0051. ELECTION TO ISSUE BONDS OR INCREASE TAXES. (a) Requires that an election for the issuance of bonds or other debt or a tax increase be held on the November uniform election date. (b) Prohibits an election described by Subsection (a), notwithstanding Section 41.0011 (Emergency Requiring Early Election), from being held as an emergency election under that section. (c) Requires the authority administering the election, if a law outside this code requires an election described by Subsection (a) to be held on a date other than the November uniform election date, to set the election date to comply with this section. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 533
89R1496 MLH-D By: Sparks
State Affairs
3/11/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 533
89R1496 MLH-D
By: Sparks
State Affairs
3/11/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, bond elections can be held on the uniform election date in May or November. The elections held in May often have extremely low turnout compared to November. This causes concern that a small number of voters will determine whether a county implements a tax increase or bond.
This legislation requires that any election for issuing bonds, incurring debt, or increasing taxes must be held on the November uniform election date. It also prohibits such elections from being conducted as emergency elections. If any law mandates holding these elections on a different date, the election authority must reschedule them to comply with this requirement.
As proposed, S.B. 533 amends current law relating to the election date for the authorization of the issuance of bonds or a tax increase.
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 Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Election Code, by adding Section 41.0051, as follows:
Sec. 41.0051. ELECTION TO ISSUE BONDS OR INCREASE TAXES. (a) Requires that an election for the issuance of bonds or other debt or a tax increase be held on the November uniform election date.
(b) Prohibits an election described by Subsection (a), notwithstanding Section 41.0011 (Emergency Requiring Early Election), from being held as an emergency election under that section.
(c) Requires the authority administering the election, if a law outside this code requires an election described by Subsection (a) to be held on a date other than the November uniform election date, to set the election date to comply with this section.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.