C.S.H.B. 1975 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 1975
By: Deshotel
Elections
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the early voting clerk's mailing address is required to
be printed or stamped on each application for early voting by mail and on
each carrier envelope for a ballot to be voted by mail.  In some cases,
the mailing address of the early voting clerk is different from the
physical address.  When this happens, especially when the mailing address
is that of a P.O. Box, the application can not be delivered by many common
or contract carriers, who do not deliver to P.O. Box addresses.   CSHB
1975 requires the physical address of the early voting clerk to be
included with the balloting materials. 


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

CSHB 1975 amends the Election Code by requiring the early voting clerk to
include a notice of the clerk's physical address with balloting materials
for purposes of return by common or contract carrier. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

CSHB 1975 amends the original by removing the requirement that the early
voting clerk's physical  address be printed or stamped on each application
for early voting by mail and on each official carrier envelope for a
ballot to be voted by mail.  The substitute adds the provision requiring
the physical address to be included on a notice with the balloting
materials.