BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 529

By: Miller

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that the process by which a volunteer deputy registrar may continue performing the duties of that position for a new term is inefficient given that these registrars are required to meet application and training requirements each time they wish to serve, regardless of whether the substance of the training has changed. H.B. 529 seeks to address this issue by providing for the renewal of an appointment as a volunteer deputy registrar.

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. 529 amends the Election Code to authorize the voter registrar of a county, not later than November 30 of an even-numbered year, to deliver notice by mail or by email to each volunteer deputy registrar in the county that the volunteer deputy registrar's term of appointment expires on December 31 of that year. The bill requires such notice to be accompanied by a renewal application and information about any changes in election law that are relevant to the role of volunteer deputy registrar and have occurred during the person's term of appointment. The bill requires the registrar to immediately appoint a volunteer deputy registrar to a new term beginning on the next January 1 if certain conditions are met. The bill exempts a volunteer deputy registrar appointed to a new term under the bill's provisions from the requirement to attend training developed for deputy registrars, unless the person has failed to comply with any requirement imposed on a volunteer registrar under state law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.