The bill, S.B. No. 506, introduces several amendments to the Election Code aimed at enhancing the clarity and fairness of ballot propositions. It mandates that propositions must be presented with "definiteness, certainty, and facial neutrality" to ensure voters are not misled. A new section allows registered voters to submit propositions for review by the Secretary of State, who will assess whether the language is misleading or prejudicial. If the Secretary finds issues, the city must draft a corrected proposition, and if the city fails to do so adequately, the Secretary will draft the ballot language. Additionally, the bill establishes a process for mandamus actions, allowing courts to compel compliance with these requirements and to award reasonable attorney's fees to prevailing plaintiffs.

Furthermore, the bill prohibits political subdivisions from proposing measures that would appear on the same ballot as petition-initiated measures if they address the same subject matter or conflict with the petition. Any such measures proposed within 180 days of a petition submission are deemed void. The changes will apply only to petitions submitted on or after January 1, 2026, and the act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 52.072, Election Code 253.094, Election Code 277.001, Election Code 277.002, Local Government Code 9.004, Election Code 277.004 (Local Government Code 9, Election Code 277, Election Code 253, Election Code 52)
Senate Committee Report: Election Code 52.072, Election Code 253.094 (Local Government Code 9, Election Code 277, Election Code 253, Election Code 52)
Engrossed: Election Code 52.072, Election Code 253.094 (Local Government Code 9, Election Code 277, Election Code 253, Election Code 52)
House Committee Report: Election Code 52.072 (Local Government Code 9, Election Code 277, Election Code 253, Election Code 52)