BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1268
79R13969 JRJ-D By: Bohac (Janek)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current Texas law sets forth requirements for a voter registration application. The existing application provides only one box for providing driver's license number, personal identification card number, or the last four digits of a social security number. It is difficult for voter registrars to electronically scan the application into their systems because these numbers are placed in the same box, and the computers do not know which number has been provided on the application. Likewise, a statement indicates that providing false information could result in a penalty, but this statement does not convey the weight of the penalty if convicted. There is also no way for the applicant to inform election officials of an interest in becoming a poll worker. Other states' registration applications include this information in their design.
H.B. 1268 modifies provisions relating to information included on a voter registration application to improve the registration process and the recruitment of election workers.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 13.002(c), Election Code, to require a voter registration application to include specific information.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 13.004(c), Election Code, as follows:
(c) Provides that a social security number, Texas driver's license number, number of a personal identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety, or an indication that an applicant is interested in working as an election judge furnished on a registration application is confidential and does not constitute public information for purposes of Chapter 552 (Public Information), Government Code. Requires the voter registrar to ensure that a social security number, Texas driver's license number, number of a personal identification card issued by DPS, or an indication that an applicant is interested in working as an election judge is excluded from disclosure.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 13.122(a), Election Code, to require each official form, in addition to the other statements and spaces for entering information that appear on an officially prescribed registration application form, to include specific information.
SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 5. Effective date: January 1, 2006.