S.B. 1643 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 1643
By: Staples
Elections
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, although the commissioners court appoints a presiding
judge and alternate presiding judge for each regular county election
precinct, the court only appoints a presiding judge for each central
counting station used to process electronic voting system results.  Senate
Bill 1643 adds provisions relating to the service of an alternative
presiding judge at each central counting station. 


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

Senate Bill 1643 amends the Election Code by adding the requirement that a
presiding and an alternate presiding judge be appointed for each central
counting station operating in an election for processing electronic voting
system results.  The bill provides that these judges be appointed in the
same manner as judges for regular county election precincts.   

The bill provides that the alternate presiding judge serves at the central
counting station as presiding judge if the regularly appointed presiding
judge cannot serve or that the alternate presiding judge serves in another
position at the central counting station. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.