Sec. 1122.021. CREATION ELECTION; ORDERING ELECTION. (a) The district may be created and a tax may be authorized only if the creation and the tax are approved by a majority of the registered voters of the territory of the proposed district voting at an election called and held for that purpose.

(b) The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court shall order an election for the registered voters of Hidalgo County on the question of creation of the Hidalgo County Healthcare District if the commissioners court receives a petition requesting an election that is signed by at least 50 registered voters who are residents of Hidalgo County.

(c) The order calling an election under this section must state:

(1) the nature of the election, including the proposition that is to appear on the ballot;

(2) the date of the election;

(3) the hours during which the polls will be open; and

(4) the location of the polling places.

(d) Section 41.001(a), Election Code, does not apply to an election ordered under this section.

(e) The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court shall give notice of an election under this section by publishing a substantial copy of the election order in a newspaper with general circulation in Hidalgo County once a week for two consecutive weeks. The first publication must appear not later than the 30th day before the date set for the election.

(f) The ballot for an election under this section must be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The creation of the Hidalgo County Healthcare District, providing for the imposition of an ad valorem tax on all taxable property in the district. The initial ad valorem tax shall be imposed at the rate of ______ (insert amount) cents on the $100 valuation of all taxable property in the district. District funds shall be used for district purposes, including improving health care services for residents of Hidalgo County, supporting the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, training physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals, obtaining federal or state funds for health care services, and providing community health clinics, primary care services, behavioral and mental health care services, and prevention and wellness programs."

(g) The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court shall find that the Hidalgo County Healthcare District is created if a majority of the voters voting in the election held under this section favor the creation of the district.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1306 (H.B. 3793), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2013.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 382 (H.B. 1596), Sec. 4, eff. June 10, 2015.