H.B. 2089 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 2089
By: Geren
Elections
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is no law requiring the secretary of state to post
candidate names publicly on the Internet.  In recent years, as use of the
Internet has become widespread, citizens look to reliable websites, such
as that maintained by the secretary of state, for information on elections
and candidates.  House Bill 2089 ensures that the names of each candidate
who is nominated for statewide or district office in the general election
is available to the public on the secretary of state's website. 


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

House Bill 2089 amends the Election Code by requiring the secretary of
state to make the name of each candidate nominated for statewide or
district office in the general election available to the public by posting
the name on the secretary of state's website as soon as practicable after
the name becomes available and by posting the list of candidates who have
filed an application for a place on the ballot on the secretary of state's
website not later than the 12th day after the regular filing deadline for
the applications.   

The bill also requires the secretary of state to make the final report of
tabulation of unofficial results of certain races available to the public
by posting the report on the secretary of state's website. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.


EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 amends House Bill 2089 by adding the address and
occupation of each candidate for statewide or district office to the items
that the secretary of state is required to post on the agency's website.
The amendment also removes the 12 day deadline for posting the list of
candidates who have filed an application for a place on the ballot, and
instead requires the secretary of state to post the list on the agency's
website as soon as practicable.