BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3303

By: Schofield

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the varying administration of elections in Texas depending on polling location and the election officials in charge. Every voter in Texas should be entitled to the equal application of state election laws and no election official should be able to usurp the legislature's authority to set voting standards, practices, and procedures. H.B. 3303 seeks to address this issue by prohibiting election officials from creating, altering, or suspending any voting standard, practice, or procedure in a manner inconsistent with the Election Code.

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. 3303 amends the Election Code to prohibit an election official of the state or of a political subdivision of the state from creating, altering, or suspending any voting standard, practice, or procedure in a manner not expressly authorized by the Election Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.