1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the elimination of unnecessary county election 1-3 precincts. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 42, Election Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 42.010 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 42.010. RECOMMENDATION ON ELIMINATION OF LESS POPULOUS 1-8 PRECINCTS. (a) After each redistricting of a ward of a city 1-9 described by Section 42.005(a)(6), the commissioners court may 1-10 submit recommendations to the governing body of the city on changes 1-11 to the wards of the city to allow the county to eliminate county 1-12 election precincts with no population or a substantially small 1-13 population. 1-14 (b) After each redistricting of a territorial unit described 1-15 by Section 42.005(a)(1) or (2), the commissioners court shall 1-16 consider changes to the territorial units to allow the county to 1-17 eliminate county election precincts with no population or a 1-18 substantially small population. 1-19 (c) After each redistricting of a territorial unit described 1-20 by Section 42.005(a)(3), (4), (5), or (7), the commissioners court 1-21 may submit recommendations to the secretary of state on changes to 1-22 the territorial units to allow the county to eliminate county 1-23 election precincts with no population or a substantially small 1-24 population. 2-1 (d) For purposes of this section, a "substantially small 2-2 population" describes a precinct with a population of not more than 2-3 10 persons or not more than 6 registered voters, according to the 2-4 most recent federal census or list of registered voters, as 2-5 applicable, as of the date of the redistricting. 2-6 (e) To be considered by the secretary of state, the 2-7 recommendations must be submitted in the manner prescribed by the 2-8 secretary. 2-9 (f) The secretary of state shall evaluate all timely 2-10 recommendations submitted in accordance with Subsection (e). The 2-11 secretary shall compile all recommendations for the elimination of 2-12 the county election precincts in a manner consistent with state and 2-13 federal law. 2-14 (g) The secretary of state shall file a report containing 2-15 the information described by Subsection (f) with the governor, the 2-16 lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of 2-17 representatives not later than the date of convening the first 2-18 regular legislative session that occurs after a redistricting of a 2-19 territorial unit described by Subsection (c). If the information 2-20 submitted is insufficient for the compilation required by 2-21 Subsection (f), the secretary shall include a statement to that 2-22 effect in the report. 2-23 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1820 was passed by the House on May 11, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1820 was passed by the Senate on May 23, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________________ Date __________________________ Governor