BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 488
81R21796 JRJ-D By: Bohac et al. (Duncan)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under current law, the only eligibility requirement for an individual who wishes to serve as a volunteer deputy registrar is that the individual be 18 years of age or older. This bill establishes that a person who has been finally convicted of a felony is ineligible to serve as a deputy registrar unless the person has fully discharged the sentence including any parole, supervision, or probation, or has been pardoned.
H.B. 488 amends current law relating to the eligibility requirements for volunteer deputy registrars.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 13.031(d), Election Code, to require a person, to be eligible for appointment as a volunteer deputy registrar, to be 18 years of age or older and not have been finally convicted of a felony or, if so convicted, to have fully discharged the person's sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or have been pardoned or otherwise related from the resulting disability to vote. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 13.032, Election Code, to prohibit a registrar from refusing to appoint as a volunteer deputy registrar a person eligible for appointment under Section 13.031(d), rather than a resident of a the county served by the registrar.
SECTION 3. Provides that the appointment of a person serving as a volunteer deputy registrar who does not meet the eligibility requirements of Section 13.031(d), Election Code, as amended by this Act, expires on the effective date of this Act. Requires the secretary of state to prescribe procedures necessary to implement this section.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2009.