SRC-TAG H.B. 1697 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1697 78R11674 ATP-DBy: Denny (Staples) State Affairs 5/20/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE An increasing number of political subdivisions are using direct recording electronic (DRE) voting devices for their elections. Because these voting systems are relatively new, current law does not have provisions relating to the procedure for a candidate's presence during the printing of ballot images for recount purposes or for the amount of the recount deposit required for recounts in precincts using DRE machines. H.B. 1697 modifies provisions relating to recounts of election results in precincts where DRE voting machines were used. 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 Section 212.112(a), Election Code, to provide that the amount of the recount deposit is determined by the number of precincts for which a recount is requested in the document that the deposit accompanies, in accordance with the certain schedules, subject to Subsection (d). SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 213, Elections Code, by adding Section 213.016, as follows: Sec. 213.016. PRINTING IMAGES OF BALLOTS CAST USING DIRECT RECORDING ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES. Specifies that during any printing of images of ballots cast using direct recording electronic voting machines for the purpose of a recount, the full recount committee is not required to be present. Requires the recount committee chair to determine how many committee members must be present during the printing of the images. Provides that each candidate is entitled to be present and to have representatives present in the same number as prescribed by Section 213.013(b) for a recount during the printing of the images. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2003.