BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1632
88R21754 PRL-F	By: Paul; Morales, Eddie (Middleton)
	State Affairs
	5/4/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In past elections, certain election workers have reported that they do not feel as though they have a proper understanding of election law and procedure. There is currently a lack of consistency in the training available for those workers; some positions lack online training, a test, or a handbook.

H.B. 1632 seeks to ensure adequate training is available for the state's election workers by requiring the secretary of state to make standardized training and materials available online for election judges and members of an early voting ballot board, signature verification committee, or central counting station.

H.B. 1632 amends current law relating to standardized training for election officers.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 32.111(a), Election Code, to require the secretary of state (SOS) to take certain actions, including �developing materials for a standardized curriculum for training in election law and procedure, including a published handbook, made available on the Internet website of SOS, free of charge.

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 32, Election Code, by adding Section 32.1111, as follows:

Sec. 32.1111. ONLINE TRAINING. (a) Requires SOS to:

(1) make available a standardized training program developed under Section 32.111 (Training Standards for Election Judges):

(A) entirely via the Internet; and

(B) at any time, without a requirement for prior registration;

(2) require the passage of an examination at the end of the training program; and

(3) provide an individual who completes the training with a certificate of completion.

(b) Requires that a certificate of completion provided under Subsection (a)(3) expire no later than one year following the date it was awarded.

(c) Provides that completion of the training program under this section is not a prerequisite to eligibility for service in an election for:

(1) county election officials;

(2) presiding or alternate election judges;

(3) election clerks;

(4) members of the early voting ballot board;

(5) members of the signature verification committee; or

(6) central counting station officers.

SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 87, Election Code, by adding Section 87.0031, as follows:

Sec. 87.0031. TRAINING. Requires SOS to provide a standardized training program and materials for members of an early voting ballot board in the same manner it provides such a program under Subchapter F (Training), Chapter 32.

SECTION 4. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 87, Election Code, by adding Section 87.0272, as follows:

Sec. 87.0272. TRAINING. Requires SOS to provide a standardized training program and materials for members of a signature verification committee in the same manner it provides such a program under Subchapter F, Chapter 32.

SECTION 5. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 127, Election Code, by adding Section 127.010, as follows:

Sec. 127.010. TRAINING. Requires SOS to provide a standardized training program and materials for members of a counting station in the same manner it provides such a program under Subchapter F, Chapter 32.

SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2023.