BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2800

By: Paul

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Having county election board meetings in person and open to the public will increase transparency about how elections are operated. H.B. 2800 seeks to impose this requirement and also require notice of each meeting to be posted online 48 hours before each meeting if the county maintains a website.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2800 amends the Election Code to require a meeting of a county election board to be held in person and open to the public. The bill requires the county clerk of a county that maintains a website to post on that website notice of a meeting of the county election board not later than 48 hours before each meeting.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.