C.S.H.B. 1697 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 1697
By: Denny
Elections
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 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.  C.S.H.B. 1697
modifies provisions relating to recounts of election results in precincts
where DRE voting machines were used.  


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 


ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B.1697 amends the Election Code to provide that the amount for the
recount deposit, in precincts where printed images of ballots cast using
direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machines are to be recounted
manually, will be determined in accordance with ten times the maximum
hourly rate for election judges.   

The bill also provides, during any printing of images of ballots cast
using DRE voting machines, that the full recount committee is not required
to be present.  The bill requires the recount committee chair to determine
how many committee members must be present during the printing of the
images. The bill provides that each candidate is entitled to be present
and to have representatives present in the same number as prescribed for a
recount during the printing of the images. 


EFFECTIVE DATE
      
September 1, 2003.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1697 amends the original by providing that, during the printing
of images of ballots cast using DRE machines for the purpose of a recount,
the full recount committee is not required to be present.  The substitute
also adds the requirement that the recount committee chair determine how
many committee members must be present during the printing of the images.