BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 752
	By: Campbell
	State Affairs
	6/7/2017
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 752 allows counties in Texas to establish an email ballot program for members of the armed forces currently overseas. The Texas secretary of state determines whether or not a county has the appropriate technological capabilities in order to participate. To date, Bexar County has been the only county to utilize the program. There is no cost to the state as the counties absorb any costs they may incur.

S.B. 752 amends current law relating to the overseas military e-mail ballot program.

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 Section 105.004(b), Election Code, as follows:

(b) Requires the Texas secretary of state (SOS) to select to participate in the e-mail ballot program (program) any county, rather than a number of counties as determined by SOS, that:

(1) desires, rather than desire, to participate in the program; and

(2) is, rather than are, determined by SOS to have the appropriate technological capabilities.

SECTION 2. Repealers: Sections 105.004(c) (relating to requiring SOS to operate the program as a pilot program until September 1, 2017), (d) (relating to a required report filed by SOS), and (e) (relating to the expiration date of this section), Election Code.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.