BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1595

By: Bohac

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert that the deadline by which certain balloting materials for early voting by mail are required to be mailed to eligible voters is too far removed from election day and has the potential to lead to voter confusion. H.B. 1595 seeks to reduce voter confusion and move this deadline closer to election day.

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. 1595 amends the Election Code to change from not later than the 38th day before election day to not later than the 30th day before election day the deadline by which the balloting materials for early voting by mail are required to be mailed to a voter entitled to vote by mail if the statutory mailing date for such materials is earlier than the 45th day before election day. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.