BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2721
84R6387 ADM-F	By: Blanco (Rodríguez)
	State Affairs
	5/18/2015
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

H.B. 2721 amends the Election Code to require any required public notice of the time for voting during an early voting period to also be posted on the website of the authority ordering the election if the authority maintains a website and, for a primary election or general election, by the Texas secretary of state (SOS) on the SOS website.  H.B. 2721 requires the authority ordering an election to forward its election notice to the SOS in a manner that affords the SOS sufficient time to post notice of the time for voting during an early voting period on the SOS website, if applicable.

H.B. 2721 amends current law relating to public notice of the time for voting during an early voting period.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 85.007, Election Code, by adding Subsections (d) and (e), as follows:

(d) Requires that any notice required under this section also be posted:

(1) on the Internet website of the authority ordering the election, if the authority maintains a website; and

(2) for a primary election or general election, by the Texas secretary of state (SOS) on the SOS Internet website.

(e) Requires the authority ordering an election to forward its election notice to the SOS in a manner that affords the SOS sufficient time to comply with Subsection (d)(2).

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage.