HB2253 - Relating to the authority to cancel certain elections on a measure to authorize the issuance of bonds.

      H.B. No. 2253         AN ACT   relating to the authority to cancel certain elections on a measure   to authorize the issuance of bonds.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 2.081, Election Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 2.081.  CANCELLATION OF [ MOOT ] MEASURE.          SECTION 2.  Section 2.081, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) and amending Subsections (b) and   (c) to read as follows:           (a-1)     Not later than the 74th day before election day, the   authority that ordered an election on a measure to authorize the   issuance of bonds may cancel the election on the measure if:                 (1)     not earlier than the 90th day before the date of   the election on the measure, the governor issues a disaster   declaration under Chapter 418, Government Code, regarding a natural   disaster or other disaster threatening the health, safety, or   general welfare of the authority's residents; and                 (2)     the governing body of the authority, after holding   an open meeting under Subsection (a-2), determines by majority vote   that canceling the election on the measure is necessary:                         (A)     due to damage to the authority's election   system;                       (B)     to avoid harm to the authority's election   workers; or                       (C)     to avoid harm to voters within the   authority's jurisdiction.           (a-2)     The governing body of an authority may hold an open   meeting solely to deliberate whether to cancel an election on a   measure to authorize the issuance of bonds due to the issuance of a   disaster declaration described by Subsection (a-1).   To the extent   practicable under the circumstances, the governing body shall   provide reasonable public notice of the meeting and allow members   of the public and the press to observe the meeting.          (b)  If an election on  a measure is canceled or the measure is   removed from the ballot [ declared moot ] under this section [ and is   removed from the ballot ], the authority holding the election shall   post notice of the cancellation or removal  [ declaration ] during   early voting by personal appearance and on election day, at each   polling place that would have been used for the election on the   measure.          (c)  A county election officer, as defined by Section 31.091,   may use a single combined notice of cancellation under Subsection   (b) for all authorities:                (1)  for which the officer provides election services   under contract; and                (2)  that cancel an election on a measure or remove a   measure from the ballot [ declare an election moot ] under Subsection   (a) or (a-1) .          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 2253 was passed by the House on May   14, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 123, Nays 17, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 2253 was passed by the Senate on May   26, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor