BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1308

By: Schofield

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties explain that state law requires a completed ballot by mail to be delivered by mail or by common or contract carrier and that this requirement applies to all Texas citizens who vote by mail. However, these parties argue that some voters may find it convenient to deliver the ballot in person and suggest that this method of delivery should be an alternative to existing methods.  H.B. 1308 seeks to provide for this alternative delivery method.

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. 1308 amends the Election Code to authorize a voter, as an alternative to other methods of returning a marked ballot for early voting by mail to the early voting clerk and in addition to other requirements, to deliver the ballot in person to the early voting clerk's office only while the polls are open on election day and to require a voter who delivers a marked ballot in person to present a form of photo identification acceptable for the purposes of voting in an election.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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