1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to requiring the secretary of state to study voting 1-3 systems, technologies, and strategies. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "voting system" has the 1-6 meaning assigned by Section 121.003, Election Code. 1-7 (b) The secretary of state shall: 1-8 (1) reexamine the voting system of each county as 1-9 provided by Section 122.091, Election Code, to determine whether 1-10 the voting system complies with applicable standards prescribed by 1-11 law; 1-12 (2) study innovative, available voting technologies 1-13 and evaluate the potential for implementing the use of those 1-14 technologies in this state; 1-15 (3) study the effectiveness of adopting a uniform 1-16 voting system to be used by counties statewide; and 1-17 (4) study innovative approaches to voting, including: 1-18 (A) changing the location of and techniques for 1-19 voting; and 1-20 (B) evaluating new voting strategies. 1-21 (c) Not later than December 1, 2002, the secretary of state 1-22 shall issue a report summarizing: 1-23 (1) the conclusions and recommendations resulting from 1-24 the reexamination and studies conducted under Subsection (b) of 2-1 this section; 2-2 (2) any legislation proposed by the secretary of state 2-3 resulting from the reexamination and studies; and 2-4 (3) any other relevant findings or recommendations. 2-5 (d) The secretary of state shall promptly deliver copies of 2-6 the report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the 2-7 speaker of the house of representatives. 2-8 (e) The secretary of state may adopt rules necessary to 2-9 implement this section. 2-10 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1419 was passed by the House on April 20, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1419 was passed by the Senate on May 15, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________________ Date __________________________ Governor