Monitoring the SessionHB 1519
Died in committee
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
relating to the election date for the authorization of the issuance of bonds or a tax increase.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
No emergency elections for borrowing or tax increases.
The bill requires every election to approve bonds, other debt, or a tax increase to be held on the November uniform election date. It touches cities, counties, school districts and every other local authority that asks voters for borrowing or higher taxes, and it bars using the emergency-election route for these votes. Starting with elections ordered after September 1, 2025, local bond and tax votes can no longer be scheduled in May or on other low-turnout dates, even if another law says otherwise.
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R SB 946 by Sen. Sparks (Did not pass) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R SB 946 by Sen. Sparks (Did not pass). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Dec 4, 2024 and referred to the House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
89R-HB1519 · 2024-12-04
relating to the election date for the authorization of the issuance of bonds or a tax increase.
No emergency elections for borrowing or tax increases.
The bill requires every election to approve bonds, other debt, or a tax increase to be held on the November uniform election date. It touches cities, counties, school districts and every other local authority that asks voters for borrowing or higher taxes, and it bars using the emergency-election route for these votes. Starting with elections ordered after September 1, 2025, local bond and tax votes can no longer be scheduled in May or on other low-turnout dates, even if another law says otherwise.
[ ] NONE FOUND
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
THE TEXT
“An election for the issuance of bonds or other debt or a tax increase shall be held on the November uniform election date.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill moves all local bond, debt and tax-increase elections to the November date and blocks emergency elections for them.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
$432,937.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101006866, 101027356, 101057804, 101070463, 101071373.
$331,750.00
Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Jul 24, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101070463, 101071373.
$254,625.06
Also funds 12 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Oct 31, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Sep 23, 2026 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101070463, 101071373.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$432,937.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101006866, 101027356, 101057804, 101070463, 101071373.
$331,750.00
Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Jul 24, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101070463, 101071373.
$254,625.06
Also funds 12 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Oct 31, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Sep 23, 2026 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101070463, 101071373.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
by Sen. Sparks, different lead author · Did not pass · same text
Introduced textLast action, Apr 13, 2023: Not again placed on intent calendar
Relating to the election date for the authorization of the issuance of bonds or a tax increase.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas House · Filed Dec 4, 2024
03/12/2025 H Referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Services: Mar 12 2025 11:15AM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Pensions, Investments & Financial Services · Final status: Died in committee
SB 533 by Sparks (identical)
City Government--General
Elections--Administration
Elections--General
State Finances--Management & Control
Taxation--General
BONDS
The text as introduced · 212 words
89R1496 MLH-D By: Schofield H.B. No. 1519 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the election date for the authorization of the issuance of bonds or a tax increase. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 41.0051 to read as follows: Sec. 41.0051. ELECTION TO ISSUE BONDS OR INCREASE TAXES. (a) An election for the issuance of bonds or other debt or a tax increase shall be held on the November uniform election date. (b) Notwithstanding Section 41.0011, an election described by Subsection (a) may not be held as an emergency election under that section. (c) If a law outside this code requires an election described by Subsection (a) to be held on a date other than the November uniform election date, the authority administering the election shall set the election date to comply with this section. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an election ordered on or after the effective date of this Act. An election ordered before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the election was ordered. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.