SRC-JRN S.B. 1343 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1343
By: Madla
State Affairs
4-9-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Election Code provides for only two types of voting
systems.  Because there are only definitions for voting systems and
electronic voting systems, computer innovations used in voting systems may
be limited.  This bill establishes provisions for the use of computer
voting systems in elections. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1343 establishes provisions for the use of computer
voting systems in elections. 

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 Title 8, Election Code, by adding Chapter 128, as
follows: 

CHAPTER 128.  COMPUTERIZED VOTING SYSTEMS

Sec. 128.001. COMPUTERIZED VOTING SYSTEM STANDARDS.  Requires the
secretary of state (secretary) to prescribe procedures to allow for the
use of a computerized voting system.  Requires the procedures to provide
for the use of a computerized voting system with multiple voting terminals
for the input of vote selections on the ballot presented by a main
computer to coordinate ballot presentation, vote selection, ballot image
storage, and result tabulation.  Authorizes a system under this section to
allow for the storage of processed ballot materials in an electronic form
on the main computer, notwithstanding Chapter 66.  Authorizes the
secretary to modify existing procedures as necessary to allow the use of a
system authorized by this chapter. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.