SRC-SEW H.B. 2691 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 2691
By: Madden (Ellis, Rodney)
State Affairs
5/10/2001
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently the Department of Public Safety (DPS) collects voter registration
application information at the time a person applies for a driver's
license. This information is collected electronically and is then printed
on a paper card for the applicant's signature. The card is then mailed to
the appropriate county voter registrar and processed into an electronic
file by the county registrar. The file is used to produce the voter rolls
and a voter certificate is mailed to the voter. Maintaining this
information electronically may speed up the process, minimize data entry
errors, and reduce the possibility of lost applications. H.B. 2691 requires
DPS to have voter registration information and signatures for residents of
certain counties digitally captured and then transferred in electronic form
to the county.  

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 20C, Election Code, by adding Section 20.066, as
follows: 
 
Sec. 20.066.  REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN POPULOUS COUNTIES.  Sets
forth guidelines regarding voter registration procedures in certain
counties.  

SECTION 2.  Creates a committee to study and report on the implementation
of Section 20.066, Election Code, as added by this Act.  Sets forth
guidelines regarding the committee.  Requires the committee to report its
findings and any recommendations to the legislature not later than December
1, 2002.  Provides that the study committee is abolished and this section
expires September 1, 2003. 
 
SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.