86R7781 ADM-D
 
  By: Bucy H.B. No. 1322
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the facilitation of voting by persons confined in
  certain jails.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 16, Election Code, is amended by adding
  Chapter 279 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 279. ENFRANCHISEMENT OF PERSONS CONFINED IN JAIL
         Sec. 279.001.  APPLICABILITY. This chapter applies to a
  person confined in a city or county jail.
         Sec. 279.002.  NOTICE OF VOTING RIGHTS. (a) The secretary
  of state shall prescribe a written notice to be provided to each
  person confined in a city or county jail that states:
               (1)  that persons eligible to vote may vote an absentee
  ballot from jail;
               (2)  the upcoming election dates; and
               (3)  the voter registration deadlines and absentee
  ballot request deadlines applicable to the upcoming elections.
         (b)  The notice must be printed in English, Spanish,
  Vietnamese, and Mandarin.  On the request of a person who does not
  speak one of these languages, a translation of the notice into the
  person's primary language must be provided.
         (c)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules relating to the
  provision of the notice prescribed under this section to ensure
  that the notice is visible and accessible to persons confined in the
  jail.
         Sec. 279.003.  VOTING MATERIALS. (a) The officially
  prescribed application form for registration by mail shall be made
  available to persons confined in jail who are eligible to register
  to vote.  The officially prescribed application form for an early
  voting ballot shall be made available to persons confined in jail
  who are qualified voters.
         (b)  The authority in charge of the jail shall facilitate the
  proper delivery of voter registration applications, applications
  for ballots to be voted by mail, and marked ballots to eligible
  persons and is responsible for the payment of any required postage.
         (c)  The secretary of state may adopt any rules necessary to
  implement this section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.