Bill Text: TX HB961 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Relating to the election of junior college district trustees.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Vetoed) 2017-06-15 - Vetoed by the Governor [HB961 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB961-Introduced.html

---

85R5235 MM-D
By: Rodriguez of Bexar H.B. No. 961

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the election of junior college district trustees by
plurality vote.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 130.082, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (g) and adding Subsection (g-1) to read as
follows:
(g) The board shall [designate a] number [for] the positions
on [position held by each member of] the board[, from one upward] in
the [consecutive numerical] order in which the [such manner that
the lowest numbers shall be assigned to the members whose] terms of
office of the members expire [in the shortest length of time],
provided that any [such] position number designations on existing
boards under existing law on [at] the effective date of this act or
on the effective date of an amendment to this subsection shall
remain in effect. At each election candidates must [shall] be voted
upon and be elected separately for each position on the board, and
the name of each candidate must [shall] be placed on the official
ballot according to the number of the position for which the
candidate [he or she] is running. The [A] candidate receiving the
highest number of [a majority of the] votes cast [for all
candidates] for each respective [a] position to be filled at the
election is [shall be declared] elected. The board shall place a
candidate's name [If no candidate receives such a majority, then
the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall run
against each other for the position. The run-off election for all
positions shall be held on a date that complies with law and shall
be ordered, notice thereof given, and held, as provided herein for
regular elections. Any resident, qualified elector of the district
may have his or her name placed as a candidate] on the official
ballot for any position to be filled at each regular election if the
candidate is a resident of the district, is a qualified elector of
the district, and files [by filing] with the secretary of the board
a written application [therefor] signed by the applicant that
complies with Section 144.005, Election Code. The [, not later than
5 p.m. of the 45th day before the date of the election. An
application may not be filed earlier than the 30th day before the
date of the filing deadline. Such] application must state the
number of the position [for which he or she is a candidate,] or the
name of the incumbent member of the board holding the position for
which the candidate [he or she] desires to run. The order
[location] on the ballot of the names of candidates for each
position shall be chosen by lot by the board. A candidate shall be
eligible to run for only one position at each election.
(g-1) The board by resolution may provide, not later than the
180th day before the date of an election, that a candidate must
receive a majority of the votes cast for a position to be filled at
the election under Subsection (g). A resolution adopted under this
subsection is effective for subsequent elections until rescinded by
a subsequent resolution adopted not later than the 180th day before
the date of the first election to which the rescission applies.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act to Section
130.082(g), Education Code, applies only to an election ordered on
or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.