85R19801 GRM-D
 
  By: Cortez, Arévalo, Gutierrez, Perez, H.B. No. 1414
      et al.
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1414:
 
  By:  Reynolds C.S.H.B. No. 1414
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the overseas military e-mail ballot program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 105.004(b), (c), (d), and (e), Election
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The secretary of state shall select to participate in
  the program any county [a number of counties as determined by the
  secretary of state] that:
               (1)  desires [desire] to participate in the program;
  and
               (2)  is [are] determined by the secretary of state to
  have the appropriate technological capabilities.
         (c)  The secretary of state shall operate the program
  established under Subsection (a) [as a pilot program] until
  September 1, 2021 [2017].
         (d)  Not later than January 1, 2021 [2017], the secretary of
  state shall file a report with the legislature.  The report may
  include the secretary of state's recommendations on the future use
  of e-mail ballot submission by members of the armed forces of the
  United States and suggestions for permanent statutory authority
  regarding e-mail ballot submission by members of the armed forces
  of the United States.
         (e)  This section expires September 1, 2021 [2017].
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2017.