MAD H.B. 1918 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


ELECTIONS
H.B. 1918
By: Madden
4-29-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

 Low population or uninhabited precincts which result from improper or
outdated redistricting clutter the political landscape, creating an added
burden for election administration officials.  More importantly, however,
in a sparsely inhabited precinct, voters are vulnerable to having the
secrecy of their ballot violated in wake of reporting of the election
outcome. 

PURPOSE

 H.B. 1918 would establish a mechanism for fine-tuning the redistricting
process to allow for elimination of low population or uninhabited
precincts.  Upon consideration by a county commissioners court in the
aftermath of redistricting, suggestions for elimination of county election
precincts if warranted would be forwarded to the Secretary of State, who
would then file a report with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and
Speaker of the House to coincide with the next regular session of the
Legislature.  This report could then provide the basis for legislative
action, in conformance with state and federal law, to correct any problems
which exist. 

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 Subchapter A, Chapter 42, Election Code, by adding
Section 42.010 to provide a vehicle for elimination of low population or
uninhabited precincts in wake of a review by the county commissioners
court which would form the basis of a report issued by the Secretary of
State during the session subsequent to redistricting, its findings
offering a potential springboard for legislative action. 

 SECTION 2:  Effective date.

 SECTION 3:  Emergency clause.