Relating to the authority to cancel certain elections on a measure to authorize the issuance of bonds, the official text

H.B. No. 2253

AN ACT

relating to the authority to cancel certain elections on a measure

to authorize the issuance of bonds.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 2.081, Election Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2.081. CANCELLATION OF [MOOT] MEASURE.

SECTION 2. Section 2.081, Election Code, is amended by

adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) and amending Subsections (b) and

(c) to read as follows:

(a-1) Not later than the 74th day before election day, the

authority that ordered an election on a measure to authorize the

issuance of bonds may cancel the election on the measure if:

(1) not earlier than the 90th day before the date of

the election on the measure, the governor issues a disaster

declaration under Chapter 418, Government Code, regarding a natural

disaster or other disaster threatening the health, safety, or

general welfare of the authority's residents; and

(2) the governing body of the authority, after holding

an open meeting under Subsection (a-2), determines by majority vote

that canceling the election on the measure is necessary:

(A) due to damage to the authority's election

system;

(B) to avoid harm to the authority's election

workers; or

(C) to avoid harm to voters within the

authority's jurisdiction.

(a-2) The governing body of an authority may hold an open

meeting solely to deliberate whether to cancel an election on a

measure to authorize the issuance of bonds due to the issuance of a

disaster declaration described by Subsection (a-1). To the extent

practicable under the circumstances, the governing body shall

provide reasonable public notice of the meeting and allow members

of the public and the press to observe the meeting.

(b) If an election on a measure is canceled or the measure is

removed from the ballot [declared moot] under this section [and is

removed from the ballot], the authority holding the election shall

post notice of the cancellation or removal [declaration] during

early voting by personal appearance and on election day, at each

polling place that would have been used for the election on the

measure.

(c) A county election officer, as defined by Section 31.091,

may use a single combined notice of cancellation under Subsection

(b) for all authorities:

(1) for which the officer provides election services

under contract; and

(2) that cancel an election on a measure or remove a

measure from the ballot [declare an election moot] under Subsection

(a) or (a-1).

SECTION 3. 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, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2253 was passed by the House on May

14, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 123, Nays 17, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2253 was passed by the Senate on May

26, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor