H.B. No. 1638 amends the Election Code to allow certain cities in Texas to change the date of their general elections for officers. Specifically, it introduces a new provision that permits cities with a population of 9,000 or less, located in counties with a total area of less than 6,200 square miles, and that have adopted a council-manager form of government, to shift their election date to the November uniform election date. This change must be made by December 31, 2026, and is subject to existing regulations outlined in Subsections (b), (c), and (d) of the Election Code. The new provision will expire on January 1, 2027.

The bill stipulates that it will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from all elected members in both houses of the legislature. If it does not achieve this majority, the bill will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 41.0052 (Election Code 41)
House Committee Report: Election Code 41.0052 (Election Code 41)