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AN ACT
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relating to hours of service by an election watcher. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 33.052, Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.052. HOURS OF SERVICE AT PRECINCT POLLING PLACE. |
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[(a)] A watcher at a precinct polling place may begin service at any |
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time after the presiding judge arrives at the polling place on |
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election day and may remain at the polling place until the presiding |
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judge and the clerks complete their duties there. A watcher [that |
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serves for more than five continuous hours] may serve at the polling |
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place during the hours the watcher chooses, except that if the |
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watcher is present at the polling place when ballots are counted, |
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the watcher may not leave until the counting is complete. |
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[(b) For purposes of this section, a watcher is considered |
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to have served continuously if the watcher leaves the polling place |
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for the purpose of using a wireless communication device prohibited |
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from use in the polling place under Section 61.014 and the watcher |
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promptly returns.] |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1631 was passed by the House on April |
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21, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1631 was passed by the Senate on May |
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18, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |