SRC-TAG H.B. 2085 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2085
78R7121 DRH-DBy: Campbell (Duncan)
State Affairs
5/20/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the presiding election judge is required to make a
reasonable effort to appoint Spanish-speaking bilingual election clerks
for each precinct.  In certain areas, despite these efforts, the number of
Spanish-speaking election clerks appointed is insufficient to serve the
needs of the Spanish-speaking voting population.  H.B 2085 requires the
authority holding the election to appoint at least one bilingual clerk for
a central location, allowing any precinct to solicit assistance from this
one primary location. 

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 272.009, Election Code, as follows:

 (a)  Creates new subsection from existing text.

(b)  Requires the authority holding the election to appoint at least one
clerk who is fluent in both English and Spanish to serve at a central
location to provide assistance for Spanish-speaking voters, if  the number
of election clerks appointed under Subsection (a) is insufficient to serve
the needs of the Spanish-speaking voters in the election.  Requires the
county chairs of each party holding a primary to each appoint one clerk
under this subsection, on a primary election day. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.