HBA-RBT H.B. 2345 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2345 By: Culberson Elections 3/30/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The working on the ballot for some propositions in home-rule cities has not been the same as the working on the original petition that resulted in the proposition. H.B. 2345 provides that the wording of a proposition in a home-rule city in which the measure to be voted on was initiated by a petition signed by the voters must be the same as the wording of the proposed proposition stating the measure on the petition. 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 Subchapter C, Chapter 52, Election Code, by adding Section 52.071, as follows: Sec. 52.071. CERTAIN PROPOSITIONS IN HOME-RULE CITY. Provides that the wording of a proposition in a home-rule city in which the measure to be voted on was initiated by a petition signed by voters must be the same as the wording of the proposed proposition stating the measure on the petition. Authorizes a registered voter of the city to bring a lawsuit for judicial relief in a district court of a county in which the city is located if the wording of the proposition is not the same as the wording of the petition. Requires the court to set a hearing before the election, if practicable, if the action is brought before the date of the election. Authorizes the court to issue an order requiring the proposition to be worded the same as the petition, delaying the election, or invalidating the results of the election. Requires the court to dismiss the petition if the change in the wording is nonsubstantive. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.