BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2191

By: Elkins

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Provisions of law require certain voting materials, such as registration forms and notices, to be provided in the language of an applicable minority group as well as in English.  This requirement can mean that some counties in Texas may be required to provide voting materials in five languages. H.B. 2191 seeks to reduce the costs associated with providing certain voting materials by allowing an individual to select the language in which the individual wishes to receive a ballot by mail.  If no language is selected, the material would be provided in English.

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. 2191 amends the Election Code to require the officially prescribed application form for a ballot to be voted by mail to include a box for the applicant to choose a language that they would prefer the ballot to be printed along with a notice that if the applicant fails to choose, then the ballot will be delivered in English.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.