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HB 3655

AN ACT relating to increasing the threshold of voter approval for a school

House Bill Olcott
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Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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What This Bill Does

Increases the voter approval threshold for school district bonds from a simple majority (50% + 1) to a three-fifths (60%) majority, meaning school districts will now require a higher percentage of voter support to issue bonds or levy certain taxes. The change applies to elections ordered on or after January 1, 2026, and will only take effect if a corresponding constitutional amendment is approved by voters in 2025. This could make it more challenging for school districts to pass bond proposals and secure funding for infrastructure, improvements, and other capital expenses.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to increasing the threshold of voter approval for a school
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 45.003, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to
(a)  Bonds described by Section 45.001 may not be issued and
taxes described by that section [Section 45.001 or 45.002] may not
be levied unless authorized by three-fifths [a majority] of the
qualified voters of the district, voting at an election held for
that purpose, at the expense of the district, in accordance with the
Election Code, except as provided by this section.
(a-1)  Taxes described by Section 45.002 may not be levied
unless authorized by a majority of the qualified voters of the
district, voting at an election held for that purpose, at the
expense of the district, in accordance with the Election Code,
except as provided by this section.
(a-2)  Each election described by Subsection (a) or (a-1)
must be called by resolution or order of the governing board or
commissioners court.  The resolution or order must state the date of
the election, the proposition or propositions to be submitted and
voted on, the polling place or places, and any other matters
considered necessary or advisable by the governing board or
SECTION 2.  Section 45.003(a), Education Code, as amended 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, and the former law is continued in effect for
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2026, but only
if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2025, increasing the threshold of voter approval
for a school district bond election is approved by the voters.  If
that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to increasing the threshold of voter approval for a school