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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the security of voted ballots. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 65, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 65.016 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 65.016. VIDEO RECORDING OF COUNTING LOCATIONS. (a) |
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The general custodian of election records shall implement a video |
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surveillance system that retains a record of all areas containing |
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ballots voted from the time the polls close or the time the last |
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voter has voted, whichever is later, until the canvass of precinct |
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election returns. The video recorded is a precinct election record |
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under Section 66.002. |
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(b) The general custodian of election records shall provide |
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a live video stream of any election activity recorded under |
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Subsection (a) on the Internet website of the authority |
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administering the election. |
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(c) If ballots are moved from one location to another, the |
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live video stream of the original location must continue until the |
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transfer is completed. |
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(d) The secretary of state shall adopt rules necessary for |
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the implementation of this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 127.1232, Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 127.1232. SECURITY OF VOTED BALLOTS. The general |
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custodian of election records shall post a licensed peace officer |
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[guard] to ensure the security of ballot boxes containing voted |
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ballots throughout the period described by Section 65.016(a) [of |
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tabulation at the central counting station]. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |