BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1789

By: Farias

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, state funds may be used to pay expenses incurred by a political party in connection with a primary election.  The secretary of state is responsible for reviewing and approving payment of estimated expenses for the primary election to the county chair of each party. The county is reimbursed by the county chair for the costs incurred for the primary elections, which typically are conducted by a county election officer. H.B. 1789 seeks to change this process in certain counties by allowing state funds to be paid directly to the county.  This change will assist in reducing any delay of payment.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1789 amends the Election Code to authorize the secretary of state, on request of a county election officer of a county with a population of 100,000 or more who conducts a primary election under an election services contract as authorized under provisions of law, to provide payment of primary expenses directly to the officer who incurs the expense rather than to the county chair.  The bill requires the secretary of state to prescribe procedures to implement the bill's provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.