By: Madla S.B. No. 513
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
1-1 relating to the use of a computer modem to transmit certain
1-2 precinct election results.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 127.1231, Election Code, is amended to
1-5 read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 127.1231. SECURITY OF AUTOMATIC TABULATING EQUIPMENT.
1-7 (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the [The] general
1-8 custodian of election records shall ensure that any computer
1-9 terminals located outside the central counting station that are
1-10 capable of accessing the automatic tabulating equipment during the
1-11 tabulation are capable of inquiry functions only and shall ensure
1-12 that no modem access to the tabulating equipment is available
1-13 during the tabulation.
1-14 (b) The secretary of state may prescribe procedures for the
1-15 use of a system to allow results to be transmitted by a modem to
1-16 the central counting station from units of automatic tabulating
1-17 equipment located at a precinct polling place or at a regional
1-18 tabulating center serving several precincts. The system must
1-19 provide for a secure transmission of data. Results may not be
1-20 transmitted under this subsection until the polls close on election
1-21 day.
1-22 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
1-23 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-1 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-2 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-3 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-4 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.