SRC-JRN S.B. 1090 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1090
By: Patterson
State Affairs
3-19-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, state law authorizes the appointment of a signature
verification committee at each election.  However, the role of the
signature committee is advisory and may not be utilized in some counties.
This bill allows the signature committee to participate in the
verification of signatures on applications and ballots, and to vote on the
acceptance or rejection of the ballot; provides that the vote of the
signature committee is binding. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1090 allows the signature verification committee to
participate in the verification of signatures on applications and ballots,
and to vote on the acceptance or rejection of the ballot; provides that
the vote of the signature committee is binding. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 87.027(a), Election Code, to provide that
Section 87.0271 supersedes this section to the extent of a conflict. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 87B, Election Code, by adding Section 87.0271,
as follows: 

 Sec. 87.0271. COMMITTEE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO GENERAL ELECTION FOR
STATE AND COUNTY OFFICERS.  Requires a signature verification committee to
be appointed in the general election for state and county officers.
Provides that Section 87.027 applies to the committee, except as provided
by this section.  Requires each county chairman of a political party with
nominees on the general election ballot to submit a list of names of
persons who are eligible to serve on the signature verification committee
to the county election board.  Requires the county election board to
appoint three persons from each list to serve as members of the committee.
Provides that the early voting clerk also serves as a member of the
committee.  Requires a determination under Section 87.027(i) that the
signatures do not match to be made by majority vote of the committee.
Provides that a determination made by the committee is final and may not
be changed by the early voting ballot board. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.