SRC-JJJ H.B. 1053 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1053 76R11065 DRH-DBy: Yarbrough (Bernsen) State Affairs 5/4/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the law requires the election process to be accessible to voters with disabilities. To ensure that Texas voting systems are in compliance, this bill incorporates the federal mandate into the Texas statute. H.B. 1053 would require a voting system to comply with federal law and provide voters with physical disabilities a practical and effective means of casting a secret ballot. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1053 requires a voting system to be accessible by persons with physical disabilities. 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 122A, Election Code, by adding Section 122.0011, as follows: Sec. 122.0011. ACCESS BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. Requires a voting system that is acquired on or after September 1, 1999, to comply with certain federal laws and to provide a practical and effective means for voters with physical disabilities to cast a secret ballot. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.