SRC-SEW H.B. 1820 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1820
77R11922 GGS-DBy: Madden (Sponsor Unknown)
State Affairs
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Election polling places require equipment and personnel that can be very
costly for a county to supply for an election precinct of small or no
population. However, current law sets forth no method for a county to
eliminate such election precincts. H.B. 1820 sets forth provisions
regarding a recommendation to eliminate a county election precinct with a
substantially small or no population. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 42A, Election Code, by adding Section 42.010, as
follows: 
 
Sec. 42.010.  RECOMMENDATION ON ELIMINATION OF LESS POPULOUS PRECINCTS.
(a) Authorizes the commissioners court, after each redistricting of a ward
of a city described by Section 42.005(a)(6), to submit recommendations to
the governing body of the city on changes to the wards of the city to allow
the county to eliminate county election precincts with no population or a
substantially small population.  

(b)  Requires the commissioners court, after each redistricting of a
territorial unit described by Section 42.005(a)(1) or (2), to consider
changes to the territorial units to allow the county to eliminate county
election precincts with no population or a substantially small population.  

(c)  Authorizes the commissioners court, after each redistricting of a
territorial unit described by Section 42.005(a)(3), (4), (5), or (7), the
to submit recommendations to the secretary of state on changes to the
territorial units to allow the county to eliminate county election
precincts with no population or a substantially small population. 

  (d)  Defines "substantially small population."

(e)  Requires the recommendations, to be considered by the secretary of
state, to be submitted in the manner prescribed by the secretary.  

(f)  Requires the secretary of state to evaluate all timely recommendations
submitted in accordance with Subsection (e).  Requires the secretary to
compile all recommendations for the elimination of the county election
precincts in a manner consistent with state and federal law.  

(g)  Requires the secretary of state to file a report containing the
information described by Subsection (f) with the governor, the lieutenant
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives not later than
the date of convening the first regular legislative  session that occurs
after a redistricting of a territorial unit described by Subsection (c).
Requires the secretary, if the information submitted is insufficient for
the compilation required by Subsection (f), to include a statement to that
effect in the report.  
 
SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.