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.