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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to standardized training for election officers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 32.111(a), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) The secretary of state shall: |
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(1) adopt standards of training in election law and |
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procedure for presiding or alternate election judges; |
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(2) develop materials for a standardized curriculum |
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for that training, including a published handbook, made available |
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on the secretary of state's Internet website, free of charge; and |
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(3) distribute the materials as necessary to the |
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governing bodies of political subdivisions that hold elections and |
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to each county executive committee of a political party that holds a |
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primary election. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 32, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 32.1111 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 32.1111. ONLINE TRAINING. (a) The secretary of state |
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shall: |
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(1) make available a standardized training program |
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developed under Section 32.111: |
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(A) entirely via the Internet; and |
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(B) at any time, without a requirement for prior |
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registration; |
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(2) require the passage of an examination at the end of |
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the training program; and |
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(3) provide an individual who completes the training |
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with a certificate of completion. |
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(b) A certificate of completion provided under Subsection |
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(a)(3) shall expire no later than one year following the date it was |
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awarded. |
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(c) Completion of the training program under this section is |
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not a prerequisite to eligibility for service in an election for: |
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(1) county election officials; |
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(2) presiding or alternate election judges; |
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(3) election clerks; |
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(4) members of the early voting ballot board; |
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(5) members of the signature verification committee; |
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or |
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(6) central counting station officers. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 87, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 87.0031 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 87.0031. TRAINING. The secretary of state shall |
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provide a standardized training program and materials for members |
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of an early voting ballot board in the same manner it provides such |
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a program under Subchapter F, Chapter 32. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter B, Chapter 87, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 87.0272 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 87.0272. TRAINING. The secretary of state shall |
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provide a standardized training program and materials for members |
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of a signature verification committee in the same manner it |
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provides such a program under Subchapter F, Chapter 32. |
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SECTION 5. Subchapter A, Chapter 127, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 127.010 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 127.010. TRAINING. The secretary of state shall |
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provide a standardized training program and materials for members |
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of a counting station in the same manner it provides such a program |
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under Subchapter F, Chapter 32. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |