BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1115

By: Campbell

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to interested observers, the pilot program implemented in Bexar County by the secretary of state to allow U.S. military members stationed overseas to participate in the voting process by electronic means has been a success and is worth expanding to include more counties for a more comprehensive evaluation of the program's merits. S.B. 1115 seeks to expand this electronic voting pilot program.

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

S.B. 1115 amends the Election Code to change the number of counties the secretary of state must select to participate in the e-mail ballot pilot program under which a member of the U.S. armed forces on active duty overseas who is eligible for hostile fire pay may cast an early voting ballot by e-mail from one county that meets the specified criteria to a number of counties as determined by the secretary of state that meet that criteria. The bill continues the pilot program until September 1, 2017, and requires the secretary of state to file a report with the legislature relating to the pilot program not later than January 1, 2017.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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