H.B. 2093 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2093 By: Harper-Brown Elections Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law prescribes different electioneering and distance marker for the general election day and the early voting period. This can result in confusion for polling place and campaign workers who must know different rules for different elections. House Bill 2093 provides for a uniform prohibition on electioneering conforming to the current election day rule. 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 2093 amends the Election Code by prohibiting, during the time an early voting polling place is open for the conduct of voting, electioneering for or against any candidate, measure, or political party within 100 feet of an outside door through which a voter may enter the building or structure in which the early voting polling place is located. The bill deletes provisions relating to other distance markers for electioneering in or near early voting polling places. HB 2093 repeals the provisions which provide that the offense for electioneering and loitering near polling places and the offense for the unlawful operation of a sound truck near a polling place do not apply to early voting polling places. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.