BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3157

By: Faircloth

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties explain that a county is required to post a notice of cancellation at a polling place if a local entity contracts with its county to conduct an election and then cancels the election because there are no contested races. These parties point out that there are precincts in which over 20 counties are using a single countywide voting center and that a cancellation notice must be posted at all of the voting locations within the county. The parties contend that a problem arises when multiple entities cancel their elections and the county clerk is required to post separate notices at each of the voting center locations. H.B. 3157 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. 3157 amends the Election Code to authorize a county election officer to use a single combined notice of cancellation for all authorities for which the officer provides election services under contract and that declare an election moot.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.