1-1     By:  Jones of Dallas, Hodge, Madden                   H.B. No. 2923
 1-2          (Senate Sponsor - Whitmire)
 1-3           (In the Senate - Received from the House April 23, 2001;
 1-4     April 24, 2001, read first time and referred to Committee on State
 1-5     Affairs; May 7, 2001, reported favorably by the following vote:
 1-6     Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 7, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-7                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-8                                   AN ACT
 1-9     relating to the implementation of new voting system technology in
1-10     certain elections.
1-11           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-12           SECTION 1. Section 123.004, Election Code, is amended to read
1-13     as follows:
1-14           Sec. 123.004.  RESTRICTING VOTING SYSTEM TO PARTICULAR
1-15     POLLING PLACES. The authority adopting a voting system may restrict
1-16     its use to one or more polling places, subject to Section 123.009.
1-17           SECTION 2.  Section 123.007, Election Code, is amended to
1-18     read as follows:
1-19           Sec. 123.007.  ADOPTION OF MORE THAN ONE VOTING SYSTEM FOR
1-20     SAME ELECTION. If more than one kind of voting system is adopted
1-21     for use at the polling places in the same election, the adopting
1-22     authority shall determine the polling place or places at which each
1-23     system is to be used, subject to Section 123.009.
1-24           SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 123, Election Code, is
1-25     amended by adding Section 123.009 to read as follows:
1-26           Sec. 123.009.  IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY IN CERTAIN
1-27     ELECTIONS. (a)  This section applies to a voting system adopted for
1-28     use in an election ordered by the governor or a county authority or
1-29     in a primary election.
1-30           (b)  If the design of the voting system or voting system
1-31     equipment is modified, upgraded, or otherwise enhanced by the
1-32     incorporation of new technology, the voting system equipment
1-33     implementing the new technology shall be distributed and used
1-34     proportionately and equitably among the election precincts in which
1-35     the particular voting system is used.
1-36           (c)  The secretary of state by rule shall prescribe any
1-37     procedures necessary for the implementation of this section in a
1-38     manner that protects the voting rights of the affected voters.
1-39           SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-40                                  * * * * *