MAD H.B. 2785 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


ELECTIONS
H.B. 2785
By: Denny
4-29-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, the Election Code provides that regular paper ballots shall be
counted by one or more teams of election officers assigned  by  the
presiding judge at the polling place.  Each team must consist of two or
more election officers. 
 
PURPOSE

The legislation would require, to the extent possible, that each team
counting regular paper ballots  in a general election for state and county
officers or a special election to fill a vacancy in an office regularly
filled at the general election be composed of election officers who are
affiliated or aligned with different political parties. 

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 65.001, Election Code, by adding (b) which
requires  that each team counting regular paper ballots, to the extent
possible, must be composed of election officers who are affiliated or
aligned with different political parties.  This would be a requirement for
election officers in the general election for state and county officers or
a special election to fill a vacancy in an office regularly filled at the
general election. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date of September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.