1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to requiring a voting system to be accessible by persons 1-3 with physical disabilities. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 122, Election Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 122.0011 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 122.0011. ACCESS BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. A 1-8 voting system that is acquired on or after September 1, 1999, must: 1-9 (1) comply with Section 504 of the federal 1-10 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794) and its 1-11 subsequent amendments and Title II of the federal Americans with 1-12 Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. Section 12131 et seq.) and its 1-13 subsequent amendments; and 1-14 (2) provide a practical and effective means for voters 1-15 with physical disabilities to cast a secret ballot. 1-16 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 1-17 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-18 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-19 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-20 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-21 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1053 was passed by the House on April 23, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1053 was passed by the Senate on May 17, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor