BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2351

By: Vo

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, the term of appointment for a volunteer deputy registrar expires on December 31 of every even-numbered year. With growing numbers of Texans participating in our elections each year, a consistent, capable staff is needed to support this demand and keep the polls running smoothly. However, the requirement for a volunteer deputy registrar to repeat completion of the applicable training each time they renew their appointment may lower the number of active voter registrars in Texas. H.B. 2351 seeks to address barriers to the continued service of volunteer deputy registrars by providing for the renewal of an appointment as a volunteer deputy registrar without the need for repeated training.

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. 2351 amends the Election Code to authorize the voter registrar of a county, not later than November 30 of an even-numbered year, to deliver notice by mail or by email to each volunteer deputy registrar in the county that the volunteer deputy registrar's term of appointment expires on December 31 of that year. The bill requires such notice to be accompanied by a renewal application and information about any changes in election law that are relevant to the role of volunteer deputy registrar and have occurred during the person's term of appointment. The bill requires the registrar to immediately appoint a volunteer deputy registrar to a new term beginning on the next January 1 if, as follows, the volunteer deputy registrar:

· signs the renewal application and returns it to the registrar before the volunteer deputy registrar's term expires;

· signs an affidavit confirming the person has read and understood any applicable information provided regarding changes in election law, if applicable; and

· remains eligible for appointment as a volunteer deputy registrar.

The bill exempts a volunteer deputy registrar appointed to a new term under the bill's provisions from the requirement to attend training developed for deputy registrars, unless the person has failed to comply with any requirement imposed on a volunteer registrar under state law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.