BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 752
85R5764 GRM-D	By: Campbell
	State Affairs
	4/4/2017
	As Filed

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.

As proposed, 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 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 the secretary of state to have the appropriate technological capabilities.

SECTION 2. Repealer: Sections 105.004(c), (d), and (e) (relating to the use of an e-mail ballot program), Election Code.

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