81R8588 JRH-D
 
  By: Rose H.B. No. 3369
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of prohibited electronic devices at polling
  locations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 61.013, Election Code, as added by
  Chapter 697 (H.B. 1921), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2007, is amended by amending Subsection (d) and adding
  Subsection (e) to read as follows:
         (d)  This section does not apply to:
               (1)  an election officer in conducting the officer's
  official duties; [or]
               (2)  the use of election equipment necessary for the
  conduct of the election; or
               (3)  a representative of the news media in conducting
  news-gathering activities.
         (e)  In this section, "news media" means:
               (1)  a radio or television station that holds a license
  issued by the Federal Communications Commission;
               (2)  a newspaper that is qualified under Section
  2051.044, Government Code, to publish legal notices or is a free
  newspaper of general circulation and that is published at least
  once a week and available and of interest to the general public in
  connection with the dissemination of news; or
               (3)  a magazine that appears at a regular interval,
  that contains stories, articles, and essays by various writers, and
  that is of interest to the general public in connection with the
  dissemination of news or public affairs.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.