H.B. 2150 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 2150
By: Denny
Elections
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the early voting clerk has the discretion to begin
early voting by personal appearance on Saturday or Sunday if the 17th day
before election day falls on the weekend.  Allowing the clerk to determine
the first day for early voting by personal appearance has had the
potential to cause confusion for voters and election officials.  In some
areas in which multiple elections are being held, voting begins on the
weekend for some entities and on the following business day for others.
House Bill 2150 eliminates the early voting clerk's discretion over the
start date for early voting by personal appearance. 


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 2150 amends the Election Code by providing that the early
voting period begins on the next regular business day if the statutorily
prescribed date for the beginning of early voting by personal appearance
falls on a weekend or legal state holiday.  The bill removes the provision
allowing the early voting period to begin on that Saturday of Sunday if
the authority ordering the election has authorized early voting to be held
on one or more weekend days during the early voting period. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.