BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 315
88R306 MLH-D	By: Cortez (Zaffirini)
	State Affairs
	5/12/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, the application form for a ballot to be voted by mail allows an applicant to optionally provide their phone number on their application. While this information is optional, the early voting clerk greatly benefits when applicants do provide it. H.B. 315 seeks to require a statement to be attached to mail-in ballot applications regarding the benefits of an applicant providing their phone number on the application.

H.B. 315 amends current law relating to a statement by the secretary of state regarding the furnishing of certain personal information on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail.

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 84.011, Election Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c), as follows:

(a) Requires that the officially prescribed application form for an early voting ballot include:

(1)-(3-a) makes no changes to these subdivisions;

(4) on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail:

(A)-(B) makes no changes to these paragraphs;

(C) a space for entering an applicant's telephone number, with:

(i) creates this subparagraph from existing text and makes nonsubstantive changes; and

(ii) a statement prescribed by the secretary of state (SOS) explaining the benefits of furnishing that information, including how that information assists the early voting clerk;� and

(D)-(I) makes no changes to these paragraphs.

(c) Requires SOS to make the statement prescribed by Subsection (a)(4)(C)(ii) available on SOS's Internet website

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.