BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1848
	By: DeAyala (Hall)
	State Affairs
	5/17/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Among certain voters, confidence in the accuracy of elections has declined, in recent years, in part because of concerns that the vote-tabulating equipment in county central counting stations can be hacked. Currently, these stations are not Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF) compliant locations. H.B. 1848 provides for a study of the cost and feasibility of making county central count stations SCIF compliant, which could help to restore voter confidence in the accuracy of vote-counting systems used in Texas.

H.B. 1848 amends current law relating to a study by the secretary of state on the feasibility of central counting stations complying with federal standards for facilities that contain sensitive information.

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 Subchapter A, Chapter 127, Election Code, by adding Section 127.010, as follows:

Sec. 127.010. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON CENTRAL COUNTING STATION OPERATING AS SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION FACILITY.� (a)� Requires the secretary of state (SOS) to conduct a study to consider the feasibility of conforming each� central counting station with the Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF) standards promulgated by the United States federal government.

(b)� Requires the study to consider the feasibility of ensuring substantial compliance with the SCIF standards while allowing for poll watching and other citizen involvement in an election permitted under state law.

(c)� Requires SOS to create a detailed report summarizing the findings of the study and deliver the report to the legislature, not later than December 1, 2024.

(d)� Provides that this section expires December 15, 2024.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.