SRC-DPW H.B. 306 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 306 By: Madden (Shapiro) State Affairs 5/14/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, there is a decrease in the percentage of registered voters casting votes. Accessibility to the polling place and cynicism about the election process are two possible reasons for the decrease. In high growth areas, polling locations can change repeatedly from one election to the next. H.B. 306 ensures that all voters have ready access to information about the locations of polling places. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 306 sets forth procedures involving polling places used for an election. 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 Chapter 43, Election Code, by adding Subchapter C, as follows: SUBCHAPTER C. INFORMATION REGARDING LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE Sec. 43.061. NOTICE AT PREVIOUS POLLING PLACE. Requires the authority responsible for giving notice of elections, if possible, to post notice at the entrance to the previous polling place, stating that the location has changed and giving the new location, if the location of the polling place for an election precinct is different from the location used in the preceding election. 43.062. USE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION. Requires an election officer, in an election in which detailed poll location information is available at a polling place through a computer, to assist voters in determining the correct polling place location for the voter's election precinct. SECTION 2. Amends Section 62.001, Election Code, by adding Subsection (b), to require the presiding judge at a polling place, if the polling place is left unattended at any time after the preparations for voting begin, to take appropriate steps to provide for the security of the polling place. Provides that this subsection does not affect the security requirements for a polling place after the polls open. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.