AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 1115 will expand upon the pilot program established by H.B. 1129, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, that allowed military members stationed overseas to participate in the voting process by electronic means. Since the program that allowed voting via email was deemed a success in Bexar County, S.B. 1115 will allow the secretary of state to add more counties to voluntarily participate in the pilot program.
S.B. 1115 changes the Election Code to allow the secretary of state to select a number of counties that desire to participate or are determined to have the appropriate technological capabilities to participate in the program. The pilot will expire September 1, 2017, and require a report from the secretary of state to be filed with the legislature no later than January 1, 2017.
As proposed, S.B. 1115 amends current law relating to a program allowing certain military voters on active duty overseas to cast a ballot electronically.
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 Sections 105.004(b), (c), (d), and (e), Election Code, as follows:
(b) Requires the secretary of state to select to participate in the program a number of counties as determined by the secretary of state, rather than one county, that:
(1) desire, rather than desires, to participate in the program; and
(2) are determined, rather than is determined, by the secretary of state to have the appropriate technological capabilities.
(c) Requires the secretary of state to operate the program established under Subsection (a) as a pilot program until September 1, 2017, rather than September 1, 2015.
(d) Require the secretary of state, not later than January 1, 2017, rather than January 1, 2015, to file a report with the legislature.
(e) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2017, rather than September 1, 2015.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.