A school district governing body may propose a charter amendment, but must submit it for legal review in some cases, order an election after review, and follow notice, timing, single-subject, and ballot rules.
Sec. 12.020. CHARTER AMENDMENT. (a) The governing body of a home-rule school district on its own motion may submit a proposed charter amendment that complies with this subchapter to the commissioner for legal review. (b) The governing body shall submit a proposed charter amendment that complies with this subchapter to the commissioner for legal review if a petition submitted to the governing body proposing the charter amendment is signed by at least five percent of the registered voters of the district. (c) As soon as practicable, but not later than the 30th day after the date on which the requirements for an election under Subsection (a) or (b) are satisfied, the commissioner shall review the proposed amendment to ensure that the proposed amendment complies with any applicable laws and shall recommend any modifications necessary. If the commissioner does not act within the prescribed time, the proposed charter amendment is approved. (d) As soon as practicable after commissioner review under Subsection (c), the governing body of the district shall order an election on the proposed amendment. (e) An election under this section shall be held on the first uniform election date that occurs at least 45 days after the date the election is ordered. (f) Notice of the election must include a substantial copy of the proposed charter amendment. (g) A charter amendment may not contain more than one subject. (h) The ballot shall be prepared so that a voter may approve or disapprove any one or more charter amendments without having to approve or disapprove all of the charter amendments. (i) The governing body may not order an election on a proposed charter amendment earlier than the first anniversary of the date of any previous election to amend the charter. (j) Section 12.017 applies to a proposed charter amendment, except that the governing body shall submit the proposed charter amendment to the secretary of state. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.