78R2105 DRH-D
By: Madden H.B. No. 402
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a pilot program involving the use of an electronic
registration system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 63, Election Code, is amended by adding
Section 63.013 to read as follows:
Sec. 63.013. (a) The secretary of state shall implement a
pilot program to evaluate the use of an electronic registration
system on election day and during the period for early voting by
personal appearance. The program shall:
(1) be limited to a single county that chooses to
participate and has a population of approximately 500,000 people;
(2) allow for the use of a card with a magnetic stripe
issued to the voter to confirm the voter's registration instead of
the registration certificate when the voter appears in person to
vote; and
(3) be used in one or more countywide elections as
determined appropriate by the secretary of state and the county.
(b) At the conclusion of the pilot program established under
Subsection (a), but not later than December 31, 2006, the secretary
of state shall file a report with the governor, the lieutenant
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives on the
pilot program and the use of an electronic registration card. The
report may contain recommendations on the future use of the card and
suggestions for permanent statutory authority regarding the use of
the card.
(c) This section expires January 1, 2007.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.