SRC-MAX H.B. 841 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 841
By: Jackson (Brown)
State Affairs
5-14-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

The Shuttle/MIR is a cooperative effort in space exploration between the
United States and Russia. Between the years 1997 and 2001, the
International Space Station will be assembled.  During these extended
space flights, it can be expected that astronauts will become unable to
participate in certain elections by voting.  This bill sets forth
procedures to allow a person on a space flight to vote in an election from
space.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 841 set forth procedures regarding voting procedures for
persons on a space flight. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the secretary of state in SECTION 1
(Sec.  105.002, Election Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Title 7B, Election Code, by adding Chapter 105, as
follows: 

CHAPTER 105.  VOTING ON ELECTION DAY BY PERSON ON SPACE FLIGHT

Sec.  105.001.  APPLICABILITY.  Provides that this chapter applies only to
certain persons that are eligible to vote in this state and are unable to
vote in an election because the person is on a space flight on election
day and during the early voting period for the election. 

Sec.  105.002.  VOTING PERMITTED. Requires the secretary of state to
prescribe procedures for voting from space on election day by secure
electronic means by persons to whom this chapter applies.  Authorizes the
procedures to provide for certain applications. 

 SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.