MAD C.S.H.B. 1001 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS ELECTIONS C.S.H.B. 1001 By: Dutton 4-22-97 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND Under current Texas law, there is considerable confusion regarding the time in which ex-felons regain their right to vote. Current law states at least two years must pass, since the issuance of discharge papers, before the ex-felon is eligible to vote again. The confusion arises because discharge papers are issued upon release from a TDCJ facility, however, a person may continue on parole for some period. PURPOSE To eliminate the confusion as to when an ex-felon regains the right to vote. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 11.002, Election Code, to provide that a person is eligible to vote when he or she is fully discharged, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision. Requirement that person must wait two years to vote after date of issuance of discharge papers is deleted. SECTION 2. Amends Section 13.001(a), Election Code, to provide that a person is eligible to register to vote when he or she is fully discharged, including any term of incarceration , parole, or supervision. Requirement that person must wait two years to register to vote after date of issuance of discharge papers is deleted. SECTION 3. Effective date of September 1, 1997. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE SECTION 1. Substitute provides language that a person is eligible to vote when fully discharged including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision. Substitute deletes language about issuance of discharge papers. SECTION 2. Substitute provides language that a person is eligible to register to vote when fully discharged, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision. Substitute deletes language about issuance of discharge papers.