By:  Denny, Rodriguez, Hegar, Coleman, Alonzo,                    H.B. No. 758
 
    et al.                                                                   


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a pilot program allowing for countywide voting 
locations in certain elections.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 43, Election Code, is 
amended by adding Section 43.007 to read as follows:
	Sec. 43.007.  COUNTYWIDE POLLING PLACE PILOT PROGRAM.  (a)  
The secretary of state shall implement a pilot program to evaluate 
the use of countywide polling places for the general election for 
state and county officers as an alternative to the polling place 
located in each county election precinct.
	(b)  The commissioners court of a county that desires to 
participate in the pilot program authorized by this section shall 
hold a public hearing on the county's participation in the pilot 
program.  The commissioners court shall submit a transcript or 
electronic recording of the public comments made at the hearing to 
the secretary of state.  The secretary of state may consider the 
public comments when selecting counties to participate in the pilot 
program.
	(c)  In conducting the pilot program, the secretary of state 
shall provide for an audit of the direct recording electronic 
voting units before and after the election, and during the election 
to the extent such an audit is practicable.
	(d)  The secretary of state shall select to participate in 
the program one or more counties that:
		(1)  have held a public hearing under Subsection (b);                  
		(2)  have implemented a computerized voter 
registration list that allows an election officer at the polling 
place to verify that a voter has not otherwise voted in the 
election;
		(3)  use direct recording electronic voting machines; 
and            
		(4)  are determined by the secretary of state to have 
the appropriate technological capabilities.
	(e)  At the conclusion of the pilot program established under 
Subsection (a), but not later than January 1, 2007, the secretary of 
state shall file a report with the legislature. The report may 
include the secretary of state's recommendations on the future use 
of countywide polling places and suggestions for permanent 
statutory authority regarding countywide polling places.
	(f)  This section expires January 2, 2007.                              
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.