BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2157

By: Miller

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that, in concert with legislative history, a candidate applying for a place on the ballot and the circulator of a petition filed in connection with such an application should be required to sign, swear, or execute an application or affidavit, as applicable, before a person authorized to administer oaths in Texas. H.B. 2157 seeks to impose this requirement.

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. 2157 amends the Election Code to specify that the signing and swearing to by a candidate for public office of the required application for a place on the ballot be done before a person authorized to administer oaths in Texas and that the circulator's affidavit required to be included along with each part of a petition filed in connection with such an application is to be executed before a person authorized to administer oaths in Texas.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.