BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1493
81R5096 JRJ-D By: King, Tracy O. (Zaffirini)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law states that a person who is employed at a facility that also serves as an election polling place is prohibited from using a cell phone if he or she is within 100 feet of a polling station in that facility. There is no exception to this law for employees using a cell phone to conduct normal business. Because public buildings such as schools and fire stations are often utilized as polling locations, the inability of employees to use their cell phones may hinder them from conducting business.
H.B. 1493 would allow employees at a facility used as a polling location to use a wireless communication device (cell phone) in the normal course of their job duties.
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 61.013(d), Election Code, as added by Chapter 697 (H.B. 1921), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, to provide that this section does not apply to a person who is employed at the location in which a polling place is located while the person is acting in the course of the person's employment. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.