SRC-SEW H.B. 2336 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2336
By: Danburg (Ellis)
State Affairs
5/4/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

During the recent presidential campaign, the State of Florida experienced a
chaotic recount situation caused in part by the use of punch-card ballot
systems. As a result, the federal government may make funds available to
states to update their ballot systems.  H.B. 2336 provides methodology for
the distribution of federal funds made available for assistance in the
administration of elections in Texas.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the secretary of state in
SECTION 1 (Section 31.009, Election Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 31A, Election Code, by adding Section 31.009, as
follows: 
 
Sec. 31.009.  DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL FUNDS.  Requires the secretary of
state, if federal funds are made available to assist the state in the
administration of elections, including assistance for the phasing out or
prohibition of the use of punch-card ballot voting systems in this state,
to administer and distribute the funds as appropriate to most effectively
facilitate the purposes for which the funds are made available.  Requires
the secretary of state to prescribe any necessary rules and take any
appropriate action to implement this section. 
 
SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage.