BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 932
	By: Middleton
	State Affairs
	3/7/2023
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

In recent years, candidates of third parties have failed to pay a filing fee to be on the general election ballot. Meanwhile, candidates from the two major parties have had to pay this fee. S.B. 932 seeks to treat all parties equally and require third party candidates to pay the same filing fees as the candidates from the two major parties. 

 

As proposed, S.B. 932 amends current law relating to the declaration of a candidate's ineligibility and to the prohibition of the candidate's placement on the ballot.

 

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 145.003, Election Code, by amending Subsection (f) and adding Subsection (f-1), as follows:

 

(f) Authorizes a candidate to be declared ineligible only if certain criteria are met, including if the candidate fails to pay the filing fee or submit a petition in lieu of a filing fee that satisfies the requirements prescribed by Section 141.062 (Validity of Petition). Makes nonsubstantive changes.

 

(f-1) Requires the authority responsible for preparing the ballots to omit a candidate from the ballot if the candidate is declared ineligible under Subsection (f).

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.