By: Schofield H.B. No. 237
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  Relating to federal election practices and procedures.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 31.007, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 31.007.  SUSPENSION OF PROVISIONS IMPLEMENTING FEDERAL
  LAW [NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT]. (a) If under federal law,
  order, regulation, or other official action any provision of
  federal law regarding the registration of voters or conduct of
  elections, including but not limited to the National Voter
  Registration Act of 1993 or its successors is not required to be
  implemented or enforced in whole or in part, an affected state law
  or rule is suspended to the extent that the law or rule was enacted
  or adopted to implement that law [Act], and it is the intent of the
  legislature that the applicable law in effect immediately before
  the enactment or adoption be reinstated and continued in effect
  pending enactment of corrective state legislation.
         (b)  On a finding by the secretary of state that a suspension
  of a law or rule has occurred under Subsection (a), the secretary
  may modify applicable procedures as necessary to give effect to the
  suspension and to reinstatement of the procedures of the former
  law.
         (c)  The secretary of state may adopt rules to implement this
  section as necessary.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 31, Election Code, is amended by adding
  Section 31.0075 to read as follows:
         Sec. 31.0075.  TEMPORARY MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT FEDERAL LAW.
  (a) Pending enactment of conforming state legislation, the
  secretary of state shall by rule, after consulting with the chair
  and vice chair of the standing committees of the senate and house of
  representatives having jurisdiction over elections, adopt
  procedures to conform with federal laws enacted regarding federal
  elections in a manner which will not substantively modify the
  procedures for voter registration for or conduct of elections other
  than federal elections provided in this Code, except as provided by
  this section.
         (b)  In compliance with Subsection (a), to the extent federal
  law modifies the requirements or procedures in this Code for voter
  registration in federal elections, the secretary of state shall by
  rule, establish and maintain a federal election voter registration
  system in compliance with federal law. Any person registered under
  this system shall not be eligible to vote in any election other than
  federal elections unless that person is qualified and registered to
  vote under Title 2 of this Code. Any person seeking to register to
  vote under the federal election voter registration system provided
  for under this subsection shall be notified upon registering to
  vote under this system that registration to vote in federal
  elections does not qualify a person to vote in any other election
  conducted in this state unless that person registers to vote as
  provided by Title 2 of this Code. All persons registered to vote as
  provided by Title 2 of this Code shall be automatically registered
  to vote under the federal election voter registration system
  provided for under this subsection. Any voter registration
  certificate issued or lists of registered voters produced under the
  federal election voter registration system provided for under this
  subsection shall be clearly marked "Valid for federal elections
  only."
         (c)  In compliance with subsection (a), to the extent federal
  law modifies the conduct of elections for federal office in a manner
  which substantively conflicts with any provision in this Code,
  notwithstanding any other provision in this Code, the secretary of
  state shall by rule modify election procedures such that federal
  and state elections can be held separately but concurrently. The
  secretary in so doing shall minimize disruption and voter confusion
  to the fullest extent feasible by sharing polling locations, voting
  stations, and other similar measures.
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  an application to register to vote submitted on or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session at which it is enacted.