SRC-JJJ H.B. 1545 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1545
By: Danburg (Shapleigh)
State Affairs
5/13/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 require the election process to be
accessible to voters with disabilities. H.B. 1545 would require polling
places to conform with the Texas Accessibility Standards which have been
certified by the U.S. Department of Justice as meeting the ADA guidelines. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1545 establishes conditions regarding accessibility
standards at polling places for the elderly and 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 the heading of Section 43.034, Election Code, as follows: 

Sec. 43.034. New title: ACCESSIBILITY OF POLLING PLACE TO THE ELDERLY AND
PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 43.034(a), Election Code, to provide that polling
places must comply with the standards established under Article 9102,
V.T.C.S. (Architectural Barriers). Increases the minimum width of an
elevator that makes a polling place accessible from 30 inches to 36 inches.
Increases the minimum width of doors, entrances, and exits used to enter or
leave polling places from 30 inches to 32 inches. Makes conforming and
nonsubstantive changes.  

SECTION 3. Amends Section 174.022(d), Election Code, to make conforming and
nonsubstantive changes.  

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.