BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4555
	By: Guillen (Hinojosa)
	State Affairs
	5/19/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Under current law, an individual who has a previous felony conviction is barred from running for public office unless that individual has been pardoned or otherwise released from the conviction-related disabilities. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of a requirement on an application for a place on the ballot to provide proof of any pardon or release. H.B. 4555 seeks to address these concerns by requiring individuals filing to run for public office who have previously been convicted of a felony to present proof that they are eligible to run.

H.B. 4555 amends current law relating to an application for a place on a ballot filed by a person convicted of a felony.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 141.031, Election Code, by adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:

(a-1)  Requires a person who has been convicted of a felony to include in the application for a place on the ballot proof that the person is eligible for public office under Section 141.001(a)(4) (relating to a person's eligibility as a candidate for a public elective office if the person has not been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities).

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2021.