HBA-JEK H.B. 1454 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1454
By: Martinez Fischer
Elections
4/3/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Compensation for an election judge or clerk is currently limited to a
maximum of $6 an hour.  Counties face challenges in hiring qualified
election judges and clerks at this compensation rate.  House Bill 1454
increases the maximum compensation rate for election judges and clerks to
an hourly rate of $7.50. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1454 amends the Election Code to entitle an election judge or
clerk to compensation for services rendered at a precinct polling place at
an hourly rate not to exceed $7.50.  The bill prohibits compensation fixed
for judges and clerks for an election ordered by an authority of a
political subdivision other than a county from exceeding the compensation
fixed for an election ordered by the governor or a county authority in the
county in which the political subdivision is primarily situated.   

The bill provides that the compensation payable to election judges and
clerks for a primary election that is conducted by the county election
officer under an election services contract must be at least equal to the
compensation payable to judges and clerks for an election ordered by the
governor or a county authority in that county. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.