BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2075

By: Neave

Elections

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised over possible legal challenges that a candidate for office may face should the candidate choose to run under a maiden name or other similar legally acquired surname, particularly with regard to a widowed or divorced candidate who may have not yet undergone a legal surname change. C.S.H.B. 2075 seeks to address these concerns by authorizing a candidate for elected office to use any surname acquired by law or marriage on the ballot.

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

C.S.H.B. 2075 amends the Election Code to authorize a candidate for elected office to use any surname acquired by law or marriage on the ballot.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2075 differs from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways.