BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1846

By: Creighton

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A 2021 report by the National Security Council indicated that hostile foreign nations such as Russia and Iran have attempted to meddle in previous American elections through cyber operations and influence campaigns. S.B. 1846 seeks to prevent interference in the vote counting process by prohibiting a manufacturer of voting systems used in an election from contracting for software development services with a company or other entity headquartered in one of several nations hostile to American interests.

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

S.B. 1846 amends the Election Code to prohibit a manufacturer of voting systems used in an election from entering into a contract, or extending or renewing a contract, for software development services with a company or other entity headquartered in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, or Russia or with an individual who is based in any such country. This prohibition applies only to an election ordered on or after the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.