Bill Text: TX HB540 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the submission to the attorney general of a measure proposing the enactment or repeal of a municipal ordinance.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 11-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-11 - Left pending in committee [HB540 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB540-Introduced.html

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84R3830 ATP-D
By: King of Parker H.B. No. 540

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the submission to the attorney general of a measure
proposing the enactment or repeal of a municipal ordinance.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 51, Local Government Code,
is amended by adding Section 51.080 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.080. SUBMISSION OF INITIATIVE OR REFERENDUM BALLOT
PROPOSALS. (a) This section applies only to a municipality that
provides in its charter for the proposal by petition of a measure to
enact a new ordinance or repeal an existing ordinance.
(b) Before ordering an election as required by charter, a
municipality shall submit a measure proposed by petition to enact a
new ordinance or repeal an existing ordinance to the attorney
general. The attorney general shall, not later than the 90th day
after submission:
(1) determine whether any portion of the proposed
measure would violate the Texas or federal constitution, a state
statute, or a rule adopted as authorized by state statute;
(2) determine whether passage of the measure would
cause a governmental taking of private property for which the Texas
or federal constitution would require compensation to be paid to
the property owner; and
(3) advise the municipality of its determinations.
(c) A municipality may not hold an election on the proposed
measure if the attorney general has determined that any portion of
the proposed measure would violate the Texas or federal
constitution or a state statute or rule or would cause a
governmental taking of private property.
(d) To the extent that the requirements of this section
conflict with a municipal charter provision requiring the
municipality to order an election within a period following receipt
of a petition, this section controls and the period during which the
municipality must order the election is extended to the extent
necessary to comply with this section.
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a petition requesting an election on the enactment or repeal of a
municipal ordinance submitted on or after the effective date of
this Act. A petition submitted before the effective date of this
Act is governed by the law in effect when the petition is submitted,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.