By Jones of Dallas                                    H.B. No. 1419
         77R3238 PAM-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to requiring the secretary of state to study voting
 1-3     systems.
 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)  study the voting system of each county to
 1-9     determine whether the voting system complies with applicable
1-10     standards prescribed by law; and
1-11                 (2)  study the effectiveness of adopting a uniform
1-12     voting system to be used by counties statewide.
1-13           (c)  The study conducted under Subsection (b)(1) of this
1-14     section must include a statistical analysis of the number of
1-15     undervotes and overvotes attributed to the use of a particular
1-16     voting system.
1-17           (d)  Not later than December 1, 2002, the secretary of state
1-18     shall issue a report summarizing:
1-19                 (1)  the conclusions and recommendations resulting from
1-20     the studies conducted under Subsection (b) of this section;
1-21                 (2)  any legislation proposed by the secretary of state
1-22     resulting from the studies; and
1-23                 (3)  any other relevant findings or recommendations.
1-24           (e)  The secretary of state shall promptly deliver copies of
 2-1     the report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the
 2-2     speaker of the house of representatives.
 2-3           (f)  The secretary of state may adopt rules necessary to
 2-4     implement this section.
 2-5           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.