HBA-GUM H.B. 1577 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1577 By: Madden Elections 4/12/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The 75th Texas Legislature shortened early voting periods by three days, from 20 to 17 days before election day. The number of people voting in these early voting periods did not diminish significantly. Costs to hold these elections are still high. H.B. 1577 shortens the period for early voting by personal appearance from 17 to 10 days before election day. Early voting for general elections and general primary elections will continue to begin 17 days before election day. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Sections 85.001(a) and (b), Election Code, as follows: (a) Provides that the period for early voting by personal appearance begins on the 10th day, rather than the 17th day, before election day. (b) Provides that for the general election for state and county officers, an election held on that same day, and the general primary election, rather than a special runoff election for an office of state legislator or for a runoff primary election, the voting period begins on the 17th day, rather than the 10th day, before election day. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.