TX HB19

Elections to authorize general obligation bonds or approve ad valorem tax rate increases must be held only on the November uniform election date, with no emergency election exceptions permitted

Political subdivisions cannot authorize additional debt if annual debt service would exceed 20% of the average property tax collections from the preceding three fiscal years

Certificates of obligation may only be issued for limited purposes including compliance with state/federal law, public health emergencies, natural disaster cleanup, or court orders—removing authority for general public works, buildings, and facilities

Petition threshold to protest certificate of obligation issuance is lowered from 5% to 2% of registered voters, and the waiting period after a failed bond election increases from three to five years before similar certificates can be issued

Governing bodies must obtain 60% supermajority approval to adopt a debt rate exceeding the calculated minimum, and maintenance and operations tax revenue from voter-approved increases cannot be used for debt repayment