BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2982

By: Israel

Elections

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note the important service provided by volunteer deputy registrars in assisting county registrars in aiding eligible persons registering to vote. These parties contend that current law, while requiring volunteer deputy registrars to receive training before they can serve a term that expires December 31 of even-numbered years, does not adequately provide for the seamless reappointment of these integral components of the election process. C.S.H.B. 2982 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

C.S.H.B. 2982 amends the Election Code to require the voter registrar, not later than November 30 of an even-numbered year, to deliver notice to each volunteer deputy registrar in the county that the volunteer deputy registrar's term of appointment expires on December 31 of that year. The bill authorizes notice to be delivered by mail or by electronic mail and requires such notice to be accompanied by a renewal application, in a form determined by the registrar, and information about any changes in election law that are relevant to the role of volunteer deputy registrar and that have occurred during the person's term of appointment.

C.S.H.B. 2982 requires the voter registrar to immediately appoint a volunteer deputy registrar to a new term beginning on the next January 1 if the volunteer deputy registrar signs the renewal application and returns it to the voter registrar before the person's term expires, signs an affidavit confirming the person has read and understood any information provided regarding any changes in election law relevant to the role of volunteer deputy registrar occurring during the person's term of appointment, if applicable, and remains eligible for appointment as a volunteer deputy registrar. The bill exempts a volunteer deputy registrar appointed to a new term under the bill's provisions from the requirement to attend training for volunteer deputy registrars, unless the person has failed to comply with any requirement imposed on a volunteer deputy registrar under law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2982 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 13, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 13.0315 to read as follows: Sec. 13.0315.  RENEWAL OF APPOINTMENT.  (a) The registrar shall, not later than November 1 of an even-numbered year, deliver notice to each volunteer deputy registrar in the county that the volunteer deputy registrar's term of appointment expires on December 31 of that year.  Notice may be delivered by mail or by electronic mail. (b)  Notice delivered under this section must be accompanied by: (1)  a renewal application, in a form determined by the registrar; and (2)  information about any changes in election law that are relevant to the role of volunteer deputy registrar and that have occurred during the person's term of appointment. (c)  The registrar shall immediately appoint a volunteer deputy registrar to a new term beginning on the next January 1 if the volunteer deputy registrar: (1)  signs the renewal application and returns it to the registrar before the person's term expires; (2)  signs an affidavit confirming the person has read and understood any information provided under Subsection (b)(2), if applicable; and (3)  remains eligible for appointment as a volunteer deputy registrar under Section 13.031(d). (d)  A volunteer deputy registrar appointed to a new term under this section is not required to attend training under Section 13.047.	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 13, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 13.0315 to read as follows: Sec. 13.0315.  RENEWAL OF APPOINTMENT.  (a) The registrar shall, not later than November 30 of an even-numbered year, deliver notice to each volunteer deputy registrar in the county that the volunteer deputy registrar's term of appointment expires on December 31 of that year.  Notice may be delivered by mail or by electronic mail. (b)  Notice delivered under this section must be accompanied by: (1)  a renewal application, in a form determined by the registrar; and (2)  information about any changes in election law that are relevant to the role of volunteer deputy registrar and that have occurred during the person's term of appointment. (c)  The registrar shall immediately appoint a volunteer deputy registrar to a new term beginning on the next January 1 if the volunteer deputy registrar: (1)  signs the renewal application and returns it to the registrar before the person's term expires; (2)  signs an affidavit confirming the person has read and understood any information provided under Subsection (b)(2), if applicable; and (3)  remains eligible for appointment as a volunteer deputy registrar under Section 13.031(d). (d)  A volunteer deputy registrar appointed to a new term under this section is not required to attend training developed under Section 13.047, unless the person has failed to comply with any requirement imposed on a volunteer deputy registrar under this subchapter or other law.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.