HBA-NLM, BTC H.B. 737 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 737 By: Denny Elections 3/5/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, many types of elections are not required to be held on the uniform election dates prescribed by law. As school districts generally address tax rate and other budget issues early in the fall, a September uniform date would accommodate special elections such as bond elections. H.B. 737 changes the date that each general or special election is held from the second Saturday in August to the third Saturday in September. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 41.001(a), Election Code, to provide that, except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, one of the four established dates in which each general or special state election is required to be held, has changed to the third Saturday in September, rather than the second Saturday in August. SECTION 2. Amends Section 41.0052(a), Election Code, to establish that December 31, 1999, rather than December 31, 1997 is the final date by which the governing body of a political subdivision other than a county may change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to another authorized uniform election date is. Provides that an election on the new date may not be held before the year 2000, rather than 1998. SECTION 3. Provides an election held on the August 1999, uniform election date, is subject to the prior law governing the election, and prior law is continued in effect for that purpose. Provides that Section 41.006, Election Code (Adjusting Election Schedule), applies to a change in election dates made in accordance with this Act. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 5. Emergency clause.