HBA-JEK S.B. 79 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 79 By: Shapiro Elections 4/16/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law requires each general or special election in the state to be held on a uniform election date, but exempts 10 types of elections from this requirement. The number of elections held outside of the uniform election dates has led to confusion in some communities and to speculation over "turnout burnout" among voters resulting in diminished participation. Senate Bill 79 changes two uniform election dates and decreases the elections that may be held outside of uniform election dates. 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. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 79 amends the Election, Education, Local Government, and Water codes to change certain dates on which general or special elections may be held to the first Saturday in February rather than the third Saturday in January and the second Saturday in September rather than the second Saturday in August. The bill deletes provisions that exempt from the uniform election dates a local option election held under the Alcoholic Beverage Code, an election held by a political subdivision using the convention method, an election to recall an officer of a political subdivision, certain elections for the issuance or assumption of bonds or the levy of tax for the maintenance of a public school or college, and an election for the creation of a crime control and prevention district. S.B. 79 prohibits an election for an office in which a majority vote is required from being held on the February or September uniform election dates. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.