Bill > HB524

This bill establishes new procedures for home-rule municipalities in Texas regarding the review and approval of citizen-initiated ordinances and referenda. Under the new law, when citizens petition for a new ordinance or to amend/repeal an existing one, the municipality must submit the proposed measure to the state Attorney General within five days of receiving the petition. The Attorney General then has 30 days (with the option to extend by two weeks) to review the measure and determine whether any portion would violate state law. If the Attorney General finds a potential violation, the municipality cannot hold an election on that measure. The bill requires that any election on such a measure must be held on a uniform election date, and it overrides any conflicting municipal charter provisions about election timing. The law will apply only to petitions submitted on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, and it repeals a previous section of local government code related to municipal initiatives. This bill aims to provide a standardized state-level review process for municipal initiatives to ensure they comply with state law before being put to a public vote.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB524