HB 4973
after redistricting, only district seats go back on the ballot
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
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
Caption
relating to the election of members of the governing body of a municipality representing single-member districts, wards, and areas on apportionment.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
At-large members and mayors skip the redo election.
After each redistricting, a city whose council is elected from districts or wards must hold new elections only for the seats that represent those districts, wards, or areas. Today the law calls for electing the entire governing body, so this change affects at-large council members and mayors in those cities. At-large members would keep serving out their terms after redistricting, while district seats still go on the ballot at the first uniform election date that leaves enough time to follow the law.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 13, 2025 and referred to the House Intergovernmental Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB4973 · 2025-03-13
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the election of members of the governing body of a municipality representing single-member districts, wards, and areas on apportionment.
WHAT IT DOES
At-large members and mayors skip the redo election.
After each redistricting, a city whose council is elected from districts or wards must hold new elections only for the seats that represent those districts, wards, or areas. Today the law calls for electing the entire governing body, so this change affects at-large council members and mayors in those cities. At-large members would keep serving out their terms after redistricting, while district seats still go on the ballot at the first uniform election date that leaves enough time to follow the law.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to May 28, 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.
Teans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$5,000.00
Teans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$5,000.00
- Cash
- $5,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $5,000.00
Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · on Jul 3, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Jul 3, 2025. 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: 101033926.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Teans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$5,000.00
- Cash
- $5,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $5,000.00
Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · on Jul 3, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Jul 3, 2025. 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: 101033926.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Mar 13, 2025
04/03/2025 H Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs: Apr 3 2025 12:38PM
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 · Intergovernmental Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
City Government--Employees/Officers
City Government--General
Elections--General
Redistricting
Text
The text as introduced · 167 words
89R2392 CS-D By: Cain H.B. No. 4973 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the election of members of the governing body of a municipality representing single-member districts, wards, and areas on apportionment. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 21.006, Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 21.006. ELECTION OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF [ ENTIRE ] GOVERNING BODY UPON APPORTIONMENT. SECTION 2. Section 21.006(a), Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A municipality that is divided into districts, wards, or other areas from which members of its governing body are elected shall elect each of those [ all ] members of the municipality's governing body that represents single-member districts, wards, or other areas following each apportionment . The election must be held on the first uniform election date that allows sufficient time to comply with any requirements of law. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.