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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to prohibited suspension of laws governing elections. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1.002, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) For purposes of a state of disaster declared under |
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Chapter 418, Government Code: |
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(1) this code is not considered a regulatory statute; |
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and |
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(2) a provision of this code may not be suspended. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 1, Election Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 1.022 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1.022. PROHIBITION ON ACTS AFFECTING ELECTIONS. (a) |
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In this section: |
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(1) "Government agency" means: |
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(A) this state or a municipality or other |
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political subdivision of this state; and |
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(B) any agency of this state or a municipality or |
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other political subdivision of this state, including a department, |
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bureau, board, commission, office, agency, council, or public |
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institution of higher education. |
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(2) "Public official" means any elected or appointed |
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officer, employee, or agent of this state, a government agency, or |
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any other public body established by state law. |
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(b) A government agency or public official may not issue an |
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order that suspends or waives a provision of this code. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |