BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 466

By: Johnson

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently in Texas, felons regain their right to vote on completion of their sentences. Unfortunately, many released felons do not know that they regain this important right. Interested parties note that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice provides discharged inmates with a voter registration form. H.B. 466 seeks to ensure that this department policy continues.

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. 466 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), before discharging an inmate who has fully completed the inmate's sentence, including any term of parole or supervision, to determine whether the inmate is eligible for registration as a voter in Texas. The bill requires TDCJ to provide to the inmate an official voter registration application form when the department discharges the inmate if the inmate is eligible for voter registration.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.