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.