BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3422

By: Laubenberg

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that an interstate voter registration crosscheck collaboration in which the Texas secretary of state works with other states and jurisdictions would help maintain the integrity of voter registration rolls, but the parties are concerned that restrictions on the disclosure of voter information render the state unable to participate in such a collaboration.
H.B. 3422 seeks to ensure the state's ability to participate in an interstate voter registration crosscheck system by authorizing the secretary of state to disclose voter information for such purposes.

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. 3422 amends the Election Code to authorize the secretary of state to disclose voter information, including a voter's date of birth and the last four digits of a voter's social security number, for the voter registration purposes of participating in an interstate voter registration crosscheck system.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.