By: Hall S.B. No. 2091               A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an election authorizing the issuance of bonds or an   increase in taxes by a political subdivision.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 2, Election Code, is   amended to read as follows:   CHAPTER 2. VOTE REQUIRED FOR ELECTION [TO OFFICE]          SECTION 2.  Chapter 2, Election Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter E to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER E. TURNOUT REQUIREMENTS          Sec. 2.101.  POLITICAL SUBDIVISION BOND OR TAX ELECTION. An   election held by a political subdivision to authorize the issuance   of bonds or a tax increase has no effect regarding the issuance of   the bonds or the tax increase unless more than 25 percent of the   registered voters of the political subdivision vote in the election   in which the bond or tax proposition is on the ballot.          SECTION 3.  Section 85.062, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:          (h)  In an election held by a political subdivision for which   the ballot includes a proposition seeking voter approval of the   issuance of bonds or a tax increase, a temporary branch polling   place must:                (1)  remain at the same location for the entire period   during which early voting by personal appearance is conducted in   the district; and                (2)  allow for early voting by personal appearance to   be conducted during the same days and hours as voting is conducted   at the main early voting polling place under Section 85.005.          SECTION 4.  Chapter 271, Election Code, is amended by adding   Section 271.015 to read as follows:          Sec. 271.015.  JOINT ELECTIONS REQUIRED FOR POLITICAL   SUBDIVISION BOND OR TAX INCREASE APPROVAL. (a) Notwithstanding   any other law, an election authorizing the issuance of bonds or a   tax increase by a political subdivision shall be held as a joint   election under this chapter.          (b)  A single ballot containing all the offices or   propositions stating measures to be voted on at a particular   polling place must be used in a joint election required under this   section.          (c)  The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures to   implement this section.          SECTION 5.  Section 1251.001, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 1251.001.  BOND ELECTION REQUIRED. (a) A political   subdivision [county or municipality] may not issue bonds [that are   to be paid from ad valorem taxes] unless the issuance is first   approved by the qualified voters of the political subdivision   [county or municipality] in an election.          (b)  To the extent of a conflict between this section and   another law, this section controls.          SECTION 6.  Section 1251.003(d), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (d)  In addition to the notice required by Section 4.003(c),   Election Code, notice of the election shall be given by:                (1)  posting a substantial copy of the election order   at:                      (A)  three public places in the political   subdivision [county or municipality] holding the election; and                      (B)  the county courthouse of any county in which   the political subdivision is located, if the election is held by a   political subdivision other than a municipality [a county   election], or the city hall, if the election is a municipal   election; and                (2)  publishing notice of the election in a newspaper   of general circulation published in the political subdivision   [county or municipality] holding the election.          SECTION 7.  Section 1251.004, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 1251.004.  IMPOSITION OF TAX. At an election ordered on   the issuance of bonds of a [county or municipality, or of a]   political subdivision or a defined district of a county or   municipality payable from ad valorem taxes, the governing body of   the political subdivision [county or municipality] shall also   submit the question of whether to impose a tax on property in the   [county, municipality,] political subdivision[,] or defined   district to pay interest on the bonds and to provide a sinking fund   to redeem the bonds.          SECTION 8.  Section 1251.006, Government Code, is repealed.          SECTION 9.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   bonds authorized to be issued or a tax increase authorized on or   after the effective date of this Act. Bonds or a tax increase   authorized before the effective date of this Act are governed by the   law in effect when the bonds were authorized, and the former law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 10.  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, 2017.