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.