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TexasSB 50689th Legislature Regular SessionSenate

Relating to requirements for certain ballot propositions and to related procedures and provisions.

Sponsored By: Paul Bettencourt (Republican), Joan Huffman (Republican), Mayes Middleton (Republican), Tan Parker (Republican), Dennis Paul, Angela Paxton (Republican), Carl H. Tepper, Steve Toth

Signed by Governor

City Government--GeneralElections--Initiative, Referendum & RecallSECRETARY OF STATE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Clearer ballot questions and voter review

Ballot questions must be clear, definite, and neutral so they do not mislead voters. For home-rule city charter amendments and petition-requested initiatives or referendums, registered eligible voters and authorized city representatives can request state review. Requests go to the Texas secretary of state within seven days after publication in the election order. The secretary has seven days to review; after notice of misleading, inaccurate, or biased wording, cities have three days to correct it and give notice. If the correction remains defective, the secretary must draft the question. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to petitions submitted on or after January 1, 2026.

Court findings trigger city ballot oversight

A final court judgment that can no longer be appealed triggers added oversight when city-written ballot wording fails the legal standard. The city must get the Texas secretary of state's approval for propositions at city elections before the finding's fourth anniversary. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to petitions submitted on or after January 1, 2026.

Petition measures gain protection from competitors

Cities and other local governments cannot put their own competing measure on the same ballot as a petition measure. The ban covers measures that generally address the same subject or invalidate or conflict with any part of the petition measure. A violating measure proposed within 180 days before the government's secretary receives the petition is void; courts can also block proposals. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to petitions submitted on or after January 1, 2026.

Ballot challengers gain remedies; cities pay

People can ask courts to enforce city ballot wording standards, including after a court orders a new election. Courts must decide promptly and can require cities to use court-written wording. Challengers who substantially win can receive reasonable legal fees, expenses, and court costs, unless the secretary of state approved or drafted the wording. Cities lose immunity from liability for those awards and must pay fair market value for legal services in covered proceedings, despite contrary city charter rules. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to petitions submitted on or after January 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Paul Bettencourt

    Republican • Senate

  • Joan Huffman

    Republican • Senate

  • Mayes Middleton

    Republican • Senate

  • Tan Parker

    Republican • Senate

  • Dennis Paul

    House

  • Angela Paxton

    Republican • Senate

  • Carl H. Tepper

    House

  • Steve Toth

    House

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hall

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 616 • No: 104

Senate vote • 5/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 24 • No: 7

House vote • 5/28/2025

Record vote

Yes: 102 • No: 37

House vote • 5/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 111 • No: 21

House vote • 5/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 133 • No: 7

House vote • 5/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 136 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 23 • No: 8

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 23 • No: 8

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 25 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 23 • No: 8

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Elections

Yes: 6 • No: 2

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: State Affairs

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    6/20/2025House

  2. Signed by the Governor

    6/20/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    6/2/2025House

  4. Signed in the House

    6/2/2025House

  5. Signed in the Senate

    6/1/2025Senate

  6. Reported enrolled

    5/31/2025Senate

  7. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

    5/31/2025House

  8. Record vote

    5/30/2025Senate

  9. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

    5/30/2025Senate

  10. Read

    5/30/2025Senate

  11. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

    5/30/2025Senate

  12. House passage as amended reported

    5/28/2025Senate

  13. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    5/28/2025House

  14. Record vote (RV#3882)

    5/28/2025House

  15. Passed

    5/28/2025House

  16. Read 3rd time

    5/28/2025House

  17. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    5/27/2025House

  18. Record vote (RV#3776)

    5/27/2025House

  19. Passed to 3rd reading as amended

    5/27/2025House

  20. Amendment withdrawn (3-Tepper)

    5/27/2025House

  21. Point of order withdrawn (amendment) (Rule 11, Section 2)

    5/27/2025House

  22. Amendment(s) offered (3-Tepper)

    5/27/2025House

  23. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    5/27/2025House

  24. Record vote (RV#3775)

    5/27/2025House

  25. Amended (2-Bucy)

    5/27/2025House

Bill Text

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