BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1243
88R2322 MLH-F	By: Hefner et al. (Hughes)
	State Affairs
	5/12/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Faith in the electoral process has decreased in recent years. While every level of Texas government has been active in further securing our elections, according to a recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, 29 percent of all Americans have little to no confidence in our elections, up from 19 percent in 2018. In light of this, the punishment for illegal voting should send a message that the crime of illegal voting is a serious offense. H.B. 1243 seeks to address this issue by increasing the penalty for illegal voting.

H.B. 1243 amends current law relating to the penalty for the offense of illegal voting and increases a criminal penalty.

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 64.012(b), Election Code, as follows:

(b) Provides that an offense under Section 64.012 (Illegal Voting) is a felony of the second degree unless the person is convicted of an attempt, in which event it is a state jail felony. Deletes existing text providing that an offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.