80R1128 ATP-D

By: Dutton H.B. No. 771

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the compensation of an election judge or clerk.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 32.091(a) and (c), Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an election judge or clerk is entitled to compensation for services rendered at a precinct polling place at an hourly rate not to exceed the amount fixed by the appropriate authority, which amount must be at least 1-1/2 times the federal minimum hourly wage. A judge or clerk may be compensated at that rate for services rendered under Section 62.014(c).

(c) For a primary or runoff primary election, the minimum hourly rate is the greater of the maximum rate provided by Subsection (a) or, if the election officer attended a training program as provided by Subchapter F, $9 [$7].

SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 32, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 32.095 to read as follows:

Sec. 32.095. DEADLINE FOR COMPENSATION. The authority fixing compensation under Section 32.093 shall provide for compensation to be paid to an election judge or clerk not later than 72 hours after the time the compensation statement is submitted under Section 32.094.

SECTION 3. Section 32.112, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 32.112. EXPENSE OF TRAINING JUDGES. (a) The governing body of a political subdivision may appropriate funds to:

(1) compensate its election judges, early voting clerk, and deputy early voting clerks in charge of early voting polling places for attending a training program required under Section 32.111, at an hourly rate at least 1-1/2 times the federal minimum hourly wage, not to exceed the maximum rate of compensation of an election judge for services rendered at a precinct polling place or, if applicable, for attending a training program under Section 32.114; and

(2) pay the expenses of conducting the programs.

(b) A political subdivision making an appropriation under this section shall provide for compensation to be paid to an election judge or clerk not later than 72 hours after the time the judge or clerk provides documentation acceptable to the political subdivision that the person is entitled to compensation under this section.

SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to compensation for an election judge or clerk for services rendered or training attended on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.