By: Burkett, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Estes) H.B. No. 1678

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2011; May 9, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; May 13, 2011, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 13, 2011, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the employment of an elections administrator.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the powers of a county election commission or a joint elections commission extend no further than to the appointment, acceptance of resignation, or recommendation for termination of a county elections administrator or joint elections administrator.

SECTION 2. Section 31.033, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) Meetings of the county election commission are subject to Chapter 551, Government Code. In addition to posting notice as required by Chapter 551, Government Code, the commission shall provide personal written notice of a commission meeting to the county elections administrator in the time prescribed by Section 551.043, Government Code, for providing public notice.

SECTION 3. Section 31.155, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) Meetings of the joint elections commission are subject to Chapter 551, Government Code. In addition to posting notice as required by Chapter 551, Government Code, the commission shall provide personal written notice of a commission meeting to the joint elections administrator in the time prescribed by Section 551.043, Government Code, for providing public notice.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

* * * * *