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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to standardized training for election officers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 32, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 32.1111 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 32.1111. TRAINING. (a) The secretary of state shall |
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provide a standardized training program in election law and |
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procedure for presiding or alternate election judges. |
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(b) The secretary of state shall develop materials for a |
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standardized curriculum for the training program provided under |
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Subsection (a), including a published handbook, made available on |
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the secretary of state's Internet website, free of charge. |
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(c) The training program provided under Subsection (a) |
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must: |
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(1) be available: |
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(A) entirely via the Internet; and |
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(B) at any time, without a requirement for prior |
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registration; |
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(2) require the passage of an examination at the end of |
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the training program; and |
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(3) provide an individual who completes the training |
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with a certificate of completion. |
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(d) A certificate of completion provided under Subsection |
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(c)(3) shall expire no later than one year following the date it was |
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awarded. |
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(e) A current certificate of completion awarded under this |
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section is a prerequisite to eligibility for service in an |
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election. |
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SECTION 2. Section 32.112, Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 32.112. EXPENSE OF TRAINING JUDGES. The governing |
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body of a political subdivision may appropriate funds to: |
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(1) compensate its election judges, early voting |
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clerk, and deputy early voting clerks in charge of early voting |
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polling places for attending a training program required under |
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Section 32.1111 [32.111], at an hourly rate not to exceed the |
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maximum rate of compensation of an election judge for services |
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rendered at a precinct polling place [or, if applicable, for |
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attending a training program under Section 32.114]; and |
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(2) pay the expenses of conducting the programs. |
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SECTION 3. Section 33.008, Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.008. TRAINING PROGRAM. The secretary of state |
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shall provide a standardized training program and materials for |
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watchers in the same manner it provides such a program under |
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Subchapter F, Chapter 32 [develop and maintain a training program |
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for watchers. The training program must: |
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[(1) be available: |
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[(A) entirely via the Internet; and |
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[(B) at any time, without a requirement for prior |
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registration; and |
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[(2) provide a watcher who completes the training with |
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a certificate of completion]. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter A, Chapter 87, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 87.0031 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 87.0031. TRAINING. The secretary of state shall |
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provide a standardized training program and materials for members |
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of an early voting ballot board in the same manner it provides such |
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a program under Subchapter F, Chapter 32. |
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SECTION 5. Subchapter B, Chapter 87, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 87.0272 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 87.0272. TRAINING. The secretary of state shall |
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provide a standardized training program and materials for members |
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of a signature verification committee in the same manner it |
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provides such a program under Subchapter F, Chapter 32. |
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SECTION 6. Subchapter A, Chapter 127, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 127.010 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 127.010. TRAINING. The secretary of state shall |
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provide a standardized training program and materials for members |
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of a counting station in the same manner it provides such a program |
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under Subchapter F, Chapter 32. |
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SECTION 7. The following laws are repealed: |
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(1) Section 32.111, Election Code; |
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(2) Section 32.113, Election Code; |
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(3) Section 32.114, Election Code; and |
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(4) Section 32.115, Election Code. |
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SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |