83R987 JRJ-D

By: Martinez Fischer H.B. No. 3340

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to automatic voter registration on issuance or change of a driver's license or identification card by the Department of Public Safety.

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

ARTICLE 1. VOTER REGISTRAR, APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION, INITIAL

REGISTRATION, AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION

SECTION 1.01. Section 12.001, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 12.001. DESIGNATION OF VOTER REGISTRAR. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the [The] county tax assessor-collector is the voter registrar for the county unless the position of county elections administrator is created or the county clerk is designated as the voter registrar.

(b) The secretary of state is the voter registrar for the purpose of the registration of voters and maintenance of the list of registered voters. The voter registrar designated under Subsection (a) is the voter registrar for all other purposes.

SECTION 1.02. Section 12.004, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 12.004. OFFICE HOURS. (a) [The registrar shall conduct voter registration activities at all times during regular office hours.

[(b) The registrar may keep the office open for voter registration activities at times other than regular office hours. The registrar shall post notice of the irregular days and hours the office will be open. The notice must remain posted continuously at each entrance to the registrar's office for the period beginning not later than the third day before the day the office is to be open during irregular hours and ending after the last time specified in the notice for the office to be open.

[(c)] The registrar's office shall remain open [for voter registration activities] during the hours the polls are required to be open for voting on the date of any general or primary election in which a statewide office appears on the ballot or any other election held in the county on a uniform election date.

(b) [(d)] If early voting by personal appearance is required to be conducted for extended hours under Section 85.005(c) or for weekend hours under Section 85.006(e), the registrar's office shall remain open for providing voter registration information during the extended hours or weekend hours that the main early voting polling place is open for voting.

SECTION 1.03. Section 13.001(b), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) To be eligible to apply for registration, a person must, on the date the registration application is submitted to the secretary of state [registrar], be at least 17 years and 10 months of age and satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a) except for age.

SECTION 1.04. The heading to Section 13.002, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 13.002. OPTIONAL APPLICATION [REQUIRED].

SECTION 1.05. Section 13.002, Election Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:

(a) A person desiring to register to vote may [must] submit an application to the secretary of state [registrar of the county in which the person resides]. Except as provided by Subsection (e), an application must be submitted by personal delivery or by mail.

(j) Nothing in this section shall prevent a person from becoming registered to vote as provided by Section 13.009.

SECTION 1.06. Section 13.0021, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) A federal judge or state judge or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge who is automatically registered to vote under Section 13.009 and seeks to have a residence address omitted from the registration list shall submit an affidavit to the secretary of state stating that the individual is a federal judge or state judge or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge.

SECTION 1.07. Section 13.004, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 13.004. RECORDING AND DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION [BY REGISTRAR]. (a) The secretary of state [registrar] may not transcribe, copy, or otherwise record a telephone number furnished on a registration application.

(b) The secretary of state [registrar] may transcribe, copy, or otherwise record a social security number furnished on a registration application only in maintaining the accuracy of the registration records.

(c) The following information furnished on a registration application is confidential and does not constitute public information for purposes of Chapter 552, Government Code:

(1) a social security number;

(2) a Texas driver's license number;

(3) a number of a personal identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety;

(4) an indication that an applicant is interested in working as an election judge; or

(5) the residence address of the applicant, if the applicant is a federal judge or state judge, as defined by Section 13.0021, or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge, and included an affidavit with the registration application under Section 13.0021 or the secretary of state [registrar] has received an affidavit submitted under Section 13.0021(c) or 15.0215.

(c-1) The secretary of state and the registrar shall ensure that the information listed in Subsection (c) is excluded from disclosure.

(d) The secretary of state, voter registrar, or other county official who has access to the information furnished on a registration application may not post the following information on a website:

(1) a telephone number;

(2) a social security number;

(3) a driver's license number or a number of a personal identification card;

(4) a date of birth; or

(5) the residence address of a voter who is a federal judge or state judge, as defined by Section 13.0021, or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge, if the voter included an affidavit with the application under Section 13.0021 or the secretary of state [registrar] has received an affidavit submitted under Section 13.0021(c) or 15.0215.

SECTION 1.08. Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Election Code, is amended by adding Sections 13.009 and 13.010 to read as follows:

Sec. 13.009. VOTER REGISTRATION THROUGH DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. (a) The secretary of state shall automatically register any individual who is eligible to vote as provided by Section 13.001 and:

(1) is issued a Texas driver's license or a personal identification card by the Department of Public Safety; or

(2) makes a change to a Texas driver's license or personal identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety.

(b) A driver's license or personal identification card transaction with an indication provided by Section 20.062(b) or 20.063(c) that the transaction is not for voter registration purposes is not subject to this section.

Sec. 13.010. PAPER APPLICATION FOR VOTER REGISTRATION. The secretary of state shall post on its Internet website voter registration application forms that may be printed and submitted to the secretary of state in:

(1) English; and

(2) any language other than English for which over five percent of the total voting age citizens of a political subdivision in this state are members of that single minority language group.

SECTION 1.09. Section 13.071, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 13.071. REVIEW OF APPLICATION. (a) The secretary of state [registrar] shall review each submitted application for registration to determine whether it complies with Section 13.002 and indicates that the applicant is eligible for registration.

(b) The secretary of state [registrar] shall make the determination not later than the seventh day after the date the application is submitted to the secretary of state [registrar].

SECTION 1.10. Sections 13.072(a), (b), and (c), Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The secretary of state [Unless the registrar challenges the applicant, the registrar] shall approve the application if:

(1) the secretary of state [registrar] determines that an application complies with Section 13.002 and indicates that the applicant is eligible for registration; and

(2) for an applicant who has not included a statement described by Section 13.002(c)(8)(C) or for an applicant who does not register under Section 13.009, the [registrar verifies with the] secretary of state verifies:

(A) the applicant's Texas driver's license number or number of a personal identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety; or

(B) the last four digits of the applicant's social security number.

(b) After approval of an application by an applicant who was registered in another county at the time of application, the secretary of state [registrar] shall update the statewide voter registration list to reflect [deliver written notice of the applicant's change of residence to the other county's registrar and include in the notice] the applicant's change in county of [name, former] residence [address, and former registration number, if known].

(c) If [Except as provided by Subsection (d), if] the secretary of state [registrar] determines that an application does not comply with Section 13.002 or does not indicate that the applicant is eligible for registration, the secretary of state [registrar] shall reject the application.

SECTION 1.11. Subchapter C, Chapter 13, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 13.0725 to read as follows:

Sec. 13.0725. PROCESS FOR VERIFICATION OF APPLICANT'S TEXAS DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUED PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. (a) The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing standards used for the verification of information on a voter registration application submitted under Section 13.072(a)(2)(A). The rules shall provide a process by which the secretary of state verifies an applicant's Texas driver's license number or Department of Public Safety issued personal identification card number if, based on the available information, a minor correction in the applicant's last name or date of birth would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the number submitted is the correct number for that applicant.

(b) If available, the secretary of state shall review the name and date of birth maintained by the Department of Public Safety or other agency used in the verification process for a submitted application that corresponds to the Texas driver's license number, Department of Public Safety issued personal identification card number, or social security number submitted by the applicant if:

(1) the secretary of state cannot verify the accuracy of an applicant's Texas driver's license number, Department of Public Safety issued personal identification card number, or social security number as submitted by the applicant; or

(2) the secretary of state verifies the accuracy of the number provided, but it is not a perfect match with the personal information provided by the applicant.

(c) If the application was not otherwise verified under this section and the secretary of state determines that a governmental clerical error was made in processing or submitting the application, the secretary of state shall correct the registration record and submit the corrected record for verification under Section 13.072(a)(2).

SECTION 1.12. Section 13.073, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 13.073. NOTICE OF REJECTION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the secretary of state [registrar] shall deliver written notice of the reason for the rejection of an application to the applicant not later than the second day after the date of rejection. If an application is rejected because it was not verified under Section 13.072, the notice shall indicate whether the last name, date of birth, Texas driver's license number, Department of Public Safety issued personal identification card number, or social security number was the reason for the failure to verify, if that information is provided to the secretary of state under Section 13.0725.

(b) If the secretary of state [registrar] rejects an application in the applicant's presence, at that time the secretary of state [registrar] shall orally inform the applicant of the reason for the rejection. If the rejection is for incompleteness, the secretary of state [registrar] shall return the application to the applicant for completion and resubmission.

(c) If the secretary of state [registrar] rejects an application for incompleteness but receives a completed application not later than the 10th day after the date the notice is delivered under Subsection (a) or the date the incomplete application is returned under Subsection (b), as applicable, the original date of submission of the incomplete application is considered to be the date of submission to the secretary of state [registrar] for the purpose of determining the effective date of registration.

SECTION 1.13. Sections 13.074(a) and (b), Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) If after the secretary of state determines [determining] that an application complies with Section 13.002 and indicates that the applicant is eligible for registration, the registrar has reason to believe the applicant is not eligible for registration or the application was submitted in an unauthorized manner, the registrar shall challenge the applicant.

(b) The registrar shall indicate on the statewide computerized voter registration list [application of a challenged applicant] that the applicant's eligibility or the manner of submission of the application has been challenged and the date of the challenge.

SECTION 1.14. Section 13.080, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 13.080. RECORDING REJECTION. On rejection of an applicant's registration application by a registrar under Section 13.079, the registrar shall inform the secretary of state and the secretary of state shall enter the date of and reason for the rejection on the application.

SECTION 1.15. Sections 13.101(a) and (b), Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The secretary of state [registrar] shall maintain a file containing the approved registration applications of the registered voters of the state [county].

(b) The secretary of state [registrar] shall maintain the file in alphabetical order by voter name on a county by county [countywide] basis. However, the secretary of state [registrar] may maintain the file in numerical order by registration number if the secretary of state [registrar] regularly maintains a list of registered voters in alphabetical order by voter name on a county by county [countywide] basis.

SECTION 1.16. Sections 13.102(a), (b), and (c), Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The secretary of state [registrar] shall maintain a file containing the rejected applications of applicants for registration.

(b) The secretary of state [registrar] shall maintain a file, separate from the file maintained under Subsection (a), containing the applications of the voters whose registrations have been canceled.

(c) The secretary of state [registrar] shall maintain each file in alphabetical order by applicant or voter name on a county by county [countywide] basis.

SECTION 1.17. Section 13.103, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 13.103. PLACE FOR KEEPING FILES; SECURITY. (a) The registration application files maintained under this subchapter shall be kept in the secretary of state's [registrar's] office at all times in a place and manner ensuring their security.

(b) Applications may be removed from the secretary of state's [registrar's] office temporarily, in a manner ensuring their security, for use in preparing registration certificates, lists of registered voters, and other registration documents by electronic data-processing methods.

SECTION 1.18. Section 13.104(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) Instead of keeping the original registration applications and supporting documentation as required by this title, the secretary of state [registrar] may record the applications and documentation on an optical disk or other computer storage medium [approved by the secretary of state].

SECTION 1.19. Section 13.142(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The secretary of state shall notify the registrar of a voter's registration as soon as practicable. After notification of registration of a voter by the secretary of state under Section 13.009, or approval of a registration application by the secretary of state, the registrar shall:

(1) prepare a voter registration certificate in duplicate and issue the original certificate to the applicant; and

(2) enter the applicant's county election precinct number and registration number on the applicant's registration application.

SECTION 1.20. Sections 13.143(a), (d), and (e), Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (e), if an applicant's registration application is approved, the registration becomes effective on the 30th day after the date the application is submitted to the secretary of state [registrar] or on the date the applicant becomes 18 years of age, whichever is later.

(d) For purposes of determining the effective date of a registration, an application submitted by mail is considered to be submitted to the secretary of state [registrar] on the date it is placed with postage prepaid and properly addressed in the United States mail. The date indicated by the post office cancellation mark is considered to be the date the application was placed in the mail unless proven otherwise.

(e) If the 30th day before the date of an election is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state or national holiday, an application is considered to be timely if it is submitted to the secretary of state [registrar] on or before the next regular business day.

SECTION 1.21. Sections 13.144(a) and (b), Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) Not later than the 30th day after the date the registrar receives notice from the secretary of state that an individual has registered to vote [the application], the registrar shall deliver the original of an initial certificate:

(1) in person to the applicant or the applicant's agent appointed under Section 13.003; or

(2) by mail to the applicant.

(b) If delivery is by mail, the registrar shall send the certificate to the mailing address provided for the individual in the statewide computerized voter [on the applicant's] registration list [application].

SECTION 1.22. Section 14.002(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), the registrar shall deliver a voter's renewal certificate by mail to the mailing address provided for the individual in the statewide computerized voter [on the voter's] registration list [application].

SECTION 1.23. Section 15.021(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The registrar shall retain the notice on file [with the voter's registration application]. If the correction is a change of the voter's name, the registrar shall file the application under the new name.

SECTION 1.24. Section 15.0215(b), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) A federal judge, a state judge, or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge who is registered to vote may at any time submit to the secretary of state [registrar of the county in which the judge resides] an affidavit stating that the voter is a federal judge or state judge or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge.

SECTION 1.25. Section 15.053(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The registrar shall submit [act on] the response to the secretary of state for action in accordance with Section 13.072 and retain the response on file [with the voter's registration application].

SECTION 1.26. Section 16.005, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 16.005. PRESERVATION OF ABSTRACT. If an abstract received under this subchapter affects a registered voter of the county, the registrar shall retain a copy of the abstract on file [with the affected voter's registration application].

SECTION 1.27. Section 16.031(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The registrar shall cancel a voter's registration immediately on receipt of:

(1) notice under Section [13.072(b) or] 15.021 or a response under Section 15.053 that the voter's residence is outside the county;

(2) an abstract of the voter's death certificate under Section 16.001(a) or an abstract of an application indicating that the voter is deceased under Section 16.001(b);

(3) an abstract of a final judgment of the voter's total mental incapacity, partial mental incapacity without the right to vote, conviction of a felony, or disqualification under Section 16.002, 16.003, or 16.004;

(4) notice under Section 112.012 that the voter has applied for a limited ballot in another county;

(5) notice from a voter registration official in another state that the voter has registered to vote outside this state;

(6) notice from the early voting clerk under Section 101.053 [101.0041] that a federal postcard application submitted by an applicant states a voting residence address located outside the registrar's county; or

(7) notice from the secretary of state that the voter has registered to vote in another county, as determined by the voter's driver's license number or personal identification card number issued by the Department of Public Safety or social security number.

SECTION 1.28. Section 16.033(f), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(f) The registrar shall retain a copy of the notice mailed to a voter under this section on file [with the voter's registration application]. If the voter's reply to the notice is in writing, the registrar shall also retain the reply on file [with the application]. If the reply is oral, the registrar shall prepare a memorandum of the reply, indicating the substance and date of the reply, and shall retain the memorandum on file [with the application].

SECTION 1.29. Section 16.0331(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The registrar shall retain the request on file [with the voter's registration application].

SECTION 1.30. Section 16.034, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 16.034. RECORDING CANCELLATION. On cancellation of a voter's registration, the registrar shall notify the secretary of state of [enter] the date of and reason for the cancellation and the secretary of state shall record the information on the voter's registration application and duplicate registration certificate and make any other appropriate corrections in the registration records.

SECTION 1.31. Section 16.037(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) On reinstatement of a registration, the registrar shall notify the secretary of state of [enter] the date of and reason for the reinstatement and the secretary of state shall record the information on the voter's registration application and duplicate registration certificate, make any appropriate corrections in the registration records, and take any other action necessary to give effect to the reinstatement.

SECTION 1.32. Section 31.040(b), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The commissioners court or the administrator may require any or all of the administrator's deputies[, other than unpaid volunteer deputy registrars,] to give a bond similar to that required of the administrator in an amount not exceeding the amount of the administrator's bond.

SECTION 1.33. Section 31.161(b), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The joint elections commission or the joint elections administrator may require any or all of the administrator's deputies[, other than unpaid volunteer deputy registrars,] to give a bond similar to that required of the administrator in an amount not exceeding the amount of the administrator's bond.

ARTICLE 2. PROCEDURES FOR IDENTIFYING REGISTERED VOTERS

SECTION 2.01. Section 18.005(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The original or supplemental list of registered voters may not contain the residence address of a voter who is a federal judge, a state judge, or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge, if the voter included an affidavit with the voter's registration application under Section 13.0021 or the secretary of state [registrar] received an affidavit submitted under Section 15.0215 before the list was prepared. In this subsection, "federal judge" and "state judge" have the meanings assigned by Section 13.0021.

SECTION 2.02. Section 18.006, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 18.006. DELIVERY OF LISTS TO ELECTION AUTHORITIES. The registrar shall deliver the lists furnished under this subchapter, including the lists furnished under Section 18.007, to the appropriate authority as soon as practicable after the request but in every case in time for receipt before the beginning of early voting by mail for the election in which the lists are to be used. If those lists do not contain the names of all voters who will be eligible to vote as of the beginning of early voting by personal appearance, another set of the appropriate lists shall be delivered before the beginning of early voting by personal appearance. If those lists do not contain the names of all voters whose registrations will be effective on election day, another set of the appropriate lists shall be delivered as soon as practicable after the secretary of state [registrar] has processed the remaining applications.

SECTION 2.03. Sections 18.043(a) and (c), Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The [At the times prescribed by the] secretary of state[, the registrar] shall produce [deliver to the secretary] a statement containing the voter registration information determined [by the secretary] to be necessary to comply with reporting requirements prescribed under federal law.

(c) The secretary of state [registrar] shall maintain the information required for the statements in accordance with procedures prescribed by this section [the secretary of state].

SECTION 2.04. Section 18.061(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) Under procedures prescribed by the secretary of state, the Department of Public Safety and each voter registrar shall provide to the secretary of state on an expedited basis the information necessary to maintain the registration list established under Subsection (a). The procedures shall provide for the electronic submission of the information.

SECTION 2.05. Section 18.066(b), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) Information furnished under this section may not include:

(1) a voter's social security number; or

(2) the residence address of a voter who is a federal judge or state judge, as defined by Section 13.0021, or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge, if the voter included an affidavit with the voter's registration application under Section 13.0021 or the secretary of state [applicable registrar] has received an affidavit submitted under Section 15.0215.

SECTION 2.06. Section 63.0011(e), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(e) The voter registrar shall retain each statement of residence on file [with the voter's voter registration application].

SECTION 2.07. Section 101.055(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) Under procedures prescribed by the secretary of state, the secretary of state [The registrar] shall register the person at the address provided under Subsection (b) unless that address no longer is recognized as a residential address, in which event the secretary of state [registrar] shall assign the person to an address [under procedures prescribed by the secretary of state].

SECTION 2.08. Section 112.012, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 112.012. NOTIFICATION TO SECRETARY OF STATE [VOTER REGISTRAR]. Not later than the 30th day after receipt of an application for a limited ballot, the early voting clerk shall notify the secretary of state [voter registrar for the voter's former county of residence] that the voter has applied for a limited ballot.

ARTICLE 3. VOTER REGISTRATION AGENCIES

SECTION 3.01. Section 20.008, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 20.008. ASSISTANCE BY SECRETARY OF STATE [OR REGISTRAR]. If a question arises concerning voter registration that an agency employee cannot answer, the employee shall provide the person[:

[(1)] the toll-free telephone number of the Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of State[; and

[(2) the telephone number of the voter registrar to whom registration applications are submitted].

SECTION 3.02. Sections 20.033, 20.034, and 20.035, Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

Sec. 20.033. EFFECT OF SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION TO EMPLOYEE. The date of submission of a completed registration application to the agency employee is considered to be the date of submission to the secretary of state [voter registrar] for the purpose of determining the effective date of registration only.

Sec. 20.034. SUBMISSION TO REGISTRAR BY APPLICANT. (a) The applicant may keep the registration application form or the completed application to submit the application personally to the secretary of state [voter registrar].

(b) The agency employee shall enter on the declination of registration form a notation that after being given the opportunity to register, the applicant kept the application or application form for personal submission of the application to the secretary of state [registrar].

Sec. 20.035. DELIVERY OF APPLICATIONS TO SECRETARY OF STATE [REGISTRAR]. (a) The agency shall deliver to the secretary of state [voter registrar of the county in which the agency office is located] each completed registration application submitted to an agency employee.

(b) An application shall be delivered to the secretary of state [registrar] not later than the fifth day after the date the application is submitted to the employee.

SECTION 3.03. Section 20.037(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) An application form delivered by mail must be accompanied by a notice informing the applicant that the application may be submitted in person or by mail to the secretary of state [voter registrar of the county in which the applicant resides or in person to a volunteer deputy registrar for delivery to the voter registrar of the county in which the applicant resides].

SECTION 3.04. Section 20.061, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 20.061. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS. The other provisions of this chapter apply to the Department of Public Safety except provisions that conflict with this subchapter or Section 13.009.

SECTION 3.05. Section 20.062(b), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The department shall prescribe and use a change of address form and procedure that combines department and voter registration functions. The form must allow a licensee or cardholder to indicate that [whether] the change of address is not [also to be used] for voter registration purposes.

SECTION 3.06. Section 20.063, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 20.063. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. (a) The Department of Public Safety shall consider an application made in person, by mail, or online at the department's Internet website [provide to each person who applies in person at the department's offices] for an original or renewal of a driver's license, a personal identification card, or a duplicate or corrected license or card by a person who is eligible to vote as provided by Section 13.001 an application for [opportunity to complete a] voter registration. The date of application is considered to be the date of submission to the secretary of state for the purpose of determining the effective date of registration [application form].

(b) The Department of Public Safety shall consider a change of address that relates to [When the department processes] a license or card and that is submitted to [for renewal by mail,] the department [shall deliver to the applicant by mail a voter registration application form.

[(c) A change of address that relates to a license or card and that is submitted to the department] in person, [or] by mail, or online at the department's Internet website [serves] as a change in [of address for] voter registration [unless the licensee or cardholder indicates that the change is not for voter registration purposes]. The date of submission of a change of address to a department employee is considered to be the date of submission to the secretary of state [voter registrar] for the purpose of determining the effective date of registration [only].

(c) The registration of an eligible [(d) If a completed] voter as required by Subsections (a) and (b) is automatic unless the person indicates that the transaction is not for voter registration purposes [application submitted to a department employee does not include the applicant's correct driver's license number or personal identification card number, a department employee shall enter the appropriate information on the application. If a completed application does not include the applicant's correct residence address or mailing address, a department employee shall obtain the appropriate information from the applicant and enter the information on the application].

SECTION 3.07. Section 20.065(b), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) Each weekday the department is regularly open for business, the department shall electronically transfer to the secretary of state the name and information designated by the secretary of state for [of each person who completes a] voter registration for each individual who is eligible to vote as provided by Section 13.001 and applies in person, by mail, or online at the department's Internet website for an original or renewal of a driver's license, a personal identification card, or a duplicate or corrected license or card [application submitted to the department]. The secretary shall prescribe procedures necessary to implement this subsection.

SECTION 3.08. Subchapter C, Chapter 20, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 20.067 to read as follows:

Sec. 20.067. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT. The Department of Public Safety and the secretary of state shall develop printed materials and a public service announcement to inform the public about automatic voter registration.

SECTION 3.09. Section 20.122(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The application forms must be accompanied by a notice informing the licensees that the applications may be submitted in person or by mail to the secretary of state [voter registrar of the county in which they reside or in person to a volunteer deputy registrar for delivery to the voter registrar of the county in which they reside].

ARTICLE 4. DRIVER'S LICENSES AND PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION

CERTIFICATES

SECTION 4.01. Section 521.101, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsection (f) and adding Subsection (l) to read as follows:

(f) A personal identification certificate:

(1) for an applicant who is a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States or a refugee or asylee lawfully admitted into the United States, [:

[(A)] expires on a date specified by the department [if the applicant is younger than 60 years of age; or

[(B) does not expire if the applicant is 60 years of age or older]; or

(2) for an applicant not described by Subdivision (1), expires on:

(A) the earlier of:

(i) a date specified by the department; or

(ii) the expiration date of the applicant's authorized stay in the United States; or

(B) the first anniversary of the date of issuance, if there is no definite expiration date for the applicant's authorized stay in the United States.

(l) The department shall indicate "VOTER" on the face of a personal identification certificate issued to a person automatically registered to vote under Section 20.063, Election Code, and "NONVOTER" on a personal identification certificate issued to a person who declines to be registered to vote under Section 20.063, Election Code, or is ineligible for voter registration.

SECTION 4.02. Subchapter F, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 521.127 to read as follows:

Sec. 521.127. VOTER REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO BE INDICATED ON LICENSE. The department shall indicate "VOTER" on the face of each driver's license issued to a person automatically registered to vote under Section 20.063, Election Code, and "NONVOTER" on each driver's license issued to a person who declines to be registered to vote under Section 20.063, Election Code, or is ineligible for voter registration.

SECTION 4.03. Section 521.422(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The fee for a personal identification certificate is:

(1) waived for an individual eligible to register to vote under Section 13.001, Election Code;

(2) $15 for a person under 60 years of age;

(3) [(2)] $5 for a person 60 years of age or older; and

(4) [(3)] $20 for a person subject to the registration requirements under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure.

ARTICLE 5. REPEALER; EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 5.01. The following provisions of the Election Code are repealed:

(1) Section 12.002;

(2) Section 12.005;

(3) Section 12.006;

(4) Subchapter B, Chapter 12;

(5) Subchapter B, Chapter 13;

(6) Section 13.072(d);

(7) Section 13.121(c); and

(8) Sections 20.065(a) and (c).

SECTION 5.02. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.