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.