BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2925

By: Schofield

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the current process for applying for a voter registration certificate can be confusing. Those parties note that some counties are able to receive and process mailed applications very quickly, which may create a situation in which a voter who mails a registration application after the registration deadline for the next upcoming election receives a voter registration card without noticing that the newly registered voter is not yet eligible to vote. Further confusion can arise at the polling place when a person who registered to vote and received a voter registration card is then told that the voter is not in fact eligible. H.B. 2925 seeks to remedy this situation.

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. 2925 amends the Election Code to prohibit a voter registrar from delivering an initial voter registration certificate to an applicant or the applicant's agent, as applicable, during the 30 days immediately preceding an election in which the applicant's registration will not be effective.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.