HB 495 - Residency of Candidates and Public Officers

• Creates section 99.0125 requiring candidates to maintain only one domicile at a time, with the domicile building zoned for residential use and complying with applicable building codes.

• Establishes 20 specific factors that may be considered in determining residency, including formal domicile declarations, homestead exemptions, voter registration addresses, driver's license addresses, utility payments, employment location, and federal tax returns.

• Creates section 111.015 establishing identical domicile and residency requirements for public officers as those applied to candidates.

• Exempts active duty military members from being deemed to have acquired or abandoned domicile based solely on military station assignment, though they may voluntarily establish a new domicile where stationed.

• Takes effect January 1, 2015.