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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of certain entities and individuals to |
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prevent individuals from accessing private property for the purpose |
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of registering voters or communicating political messages. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 276, Election Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 276.020 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 276.020. DOOR TO DOOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND POLITICAL |
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MESSAGING. (a) In this section, "residential unit" includes a |
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single-family house, a single-family house located in a residential |
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subdivision or housing development, an apartment, a condominium, or |
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another unit in a multifamily residential structure. |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a political |
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subdivision, property owners' association, homeowners' |
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association, or property manager may not adopt or enforce a rule, |
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order, ordinance, or policy that prevents an individual from |
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knocking on the front door of a residential unit, ringing the |
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doorbell of the unit, or leaving a pamphlet, flier, or other form of |
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written communication at the unit for the purpose of: |
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(1) assisting an occupant of the unit with registering |
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to vote; or |
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(2) communicating to an occupant of the unit support |
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or opposition for: |
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(A) a candidate for nomination or election to |
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public office or office of a political party; |
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(B) a political party; or |
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(C) a measure, as defined by Section 251.001. |
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(c) A political subdivision, property owners' association, |
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homeowners' association, or property manager may adopt and enforce |
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a reasonable restriction on the time, place, or manner of an |
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activity described by Subsection (b). |
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(d) A peace officer, as that term is described by Article |
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2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or private party may not prevent |
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an individual from engaging in an activity described by Subsection |
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(b) unless the officer or party reasonably believes that the |
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activity poses a threat to a person or property or is in violation |
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of a statute, ordinance, order, rule, or policy. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |