BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3965

By: Bohac

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised over long lines and delays caused by temporary closures of countywide polling places on election day due to technical difficulties or problems with the facilities used as a polling place. H.B. 3965 seeks to address these concerns for counties participating in the countywide polling place program by requiring each countywide polling place to post a notice relating to the distance to other nearby polling places and providing for all countywide polling places to remain open for the same length of time under certain circumstances.

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. 3965 amends the Election Code to require each countywide polling place to post a notice of the four nearest countywide polling place locations by driving distance. The bill requires all countywide polling places, if a court orders any countywide polling place to remain open after 7 p.m., to remain open for the length of time required in the court order.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.