BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 675

By: Bonnen, Greg

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the use of a wireless communication device is not authorized within 100 feet of a voting station but add that most wireless communication devices can be accessed as a resource to aid voters. In order to maintain safe and fair elections, H.B. 675 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 675 amends the Election Code to create an exception to the prohibition against the use of a wireless communication device by a person within 100 feet of a voting station by authorizing a person who is occupying a voting station to use the person's mobile phone to access information that was downloaded, recorded, or created on the phone before the person entered the polling place. The bill changes a statutory provision that prohibits a person from using any mechanical or electronic means of recording images or sound within 100 feet of a voting station to specify that a person is prohibited from using those means to record images or sound within 100 feet of a voting station.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.