BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3712

By: Bucy

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that Texas has both a relatively young population and a relatively low voter turnout rate in comparison with the rest of the nation. There have been suggestions that improved information and familiarity with the electoral process among younger people could lead to an increase in voter turnout and improve civic participation. H.B. 3712 seeks to address this issue by requiring high school students to be provided with practical information about the voting process as part of state-mandated social studies instruction.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the State Board of Education in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3712 amends the Education Code to require the State Board of Education to adopt rules requiring a public high school student, as part of the foundation curriculum in social studies, to be provided at least once with practical information about the process of voting in public elections. The rules must require a public school district, to the extent practicable, to seek assistance and cooperation from the applicable county election office in providing students with exposure to and experience using the type of voting machine used by that county. The bill applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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