79R7276 ATP-D

By:  Bohac                                                        H.B. No. 3295



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the electronic reporting of precinct results to the 
secretary of state.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Sections 67.017(a), (b), and (c), Election Code, 
are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  After each election for a statewide office or the office 
of United States representative, state senator, or state 
representative, the county clerk shall prepare a report of the 
number of votes, including early voting votes, received in each 
county election precinct for each candidate for each of those 
offices.  In a presidential election year, the report must include 
the number of votes received in each precinct for each set of 
candidates for president and vice-president of the United States.  
For any other election, the presiding officer of the canvassing 
authority shall prepare a report of the precinct results as 
contained in the election register.
	(b)  The county clerk or presiding officer shall deliver the 
report to the secretary of state not later than the 30th day after 
election day in an electronic format prescribed by the secretary of 
state.
	(c)  The report may be:                                                        
		(1)  an electronic [a transcribed or photographic] copy 
of the precinct returns;
		(2)  an electronic [a transcribed or photographic] copy 
of the tabulation prepared by the local canvassing authority; or
		(3)  in any other electronic form approved by the 
secretary of state.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  The changes in law made by this Act to 
Section 67.017, Election Code, apply only to an election held on or 
after January 1, 2006.
	(b)  Not later than January 1, 2006, the secretary of state 
shall prescribe an electronic format on which a county clerk or a 
presiding officer of a canvassing authority shall submit the report 
required under Section 67.017, Election Code, as amended by this 
Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.