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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a pilot program for recording activity at a ballot |
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counting station. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 65, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 65.016 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 65.016. VIDEO RECORDING OF BALLOT COUNTING. (a) The |
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secretary of state shall establish a pilot program requiring a |
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county to use a video recording device to record ballot counting |
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activity in not less than 20 percent of precincts in the county. |
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(b) The secretary of state shall select six counties to take |
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part in the pilot program, including: |
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(1) two counties with a population of not less than |
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500,000; |
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(2) two counties with a population of not less than |
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50,000 and not more than 100,000; and |
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(3) two counties with a population of not more than |
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5,000. |
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(c) The secretary of state shall adopt procedures to |
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implement this section, including procedures to determine which |
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counties may participate in the pilot program under this section. |
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(d) The secretary of state shall operate the pilot program |
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established under this section until January 31, 2023. |
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(e) Not later than January 31, 2023, the secretary of state |
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shall file a report with the legislature. The report must state: |
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(1) which counties participated in the pilot program; |
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(2) the number of precincts that recorded video; |
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(3) any best practices for placement and use of the |
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video recording devices, including: |
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(A) best angles for visibility; |
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(B) best distance between device and counting |
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station; and |
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(C) best devices for clarity; and |
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(4) any other information and recommendations |
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considered necessary by the secretary of state. |
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(f) This section expires January 31, 2023. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |