BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1406

By: Dean

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised that certain statutory language relating to the circumstances in which a voter registrar is required to send notice requesting confirmation of a voter's current residence is ambiguous and in need of clarification. H.B. 1406 seeks to address these concerns by clarifying the circumstances that require such notice to be provided by the registrar to the voter.

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. 1406 amends the Election Code to clarify that a voter registrar is required to deliver to a voter a written confirmation notice requesting confirmation of the voter's current residence if the registrar receives:

·       notice of return of an initial voter registration certificate;

·       notice of return of a renewal voter registration certificate;

·       notice of a challenge of voter registration based on residence; or

·       notice from the secretary of state of its determination that a voter on the voter registration list has more than one registration record on file based on a strong match.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.