88R28821 MLH-F
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 477
 
  (Bucy, et al.)
 
  Substitute the following for S.B. No. 477:  No.
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to accommodating voters with a disability.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 63.0015, Election Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (b), (c), and (d) and adding Subsection (f) to
  read as follows:
         (b)  An election officer shall [may] accept a person with a
  mobility problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to
  ambulate who is offering to vote before accepting others offering
  to vote at the polling place who arrived before the person.
         (c)  Notice of the priority given to persons with a mobility
  problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate
  shall be posted:
               (1)  at [one or more locations in] each entrance to a
  polling place where it can be read by persons waiting to vote;
               (2)  on the Internet website of the secretary of state;
  and
               (3)  on each Internet website relating to elections
  maintained by a county.
         (d)  The notice required by Subsection (c) must read:
  "Pursuant to Section 63.0015, Election Code, an election officer
  shall [may] give voting order priority to individuals with a
  mobility problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to
  move around. A person assisting an individual with a mobility
  problem may also, at the individual's request, be given voting
  order priority. Disabilities and conditions that may qualify you
  for voting order priority include paralysis, lung disease, the use
  of portable oxygen, cardiac deficiency, severe limitation in the
  ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic
  condition, wheelchair confinement, arthritis, foot disorder, the
  inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or use of a
  brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive device."
         (f)  All procedures and accommodations available for voters
  with disabilities, including voting under Section 64.009, shall be
  posted in an accessible manner on the county clerk's Internet
  website.
         SECTION 2.  Section 64.009, Election Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  At each polling place an area for parking not smaller
  than the size of two parking spaces shall be reserved for voting
  under this section. The area may not be designated specifically for
  persons with disabilities. The area must be clearly marked with a
  sign:
               (1)  indicating that the space is reserved for use by a
  voter who is unable to enter the polling place; and
               (2)  displaying, in large font that is clearly readable
  from a vehicle, a telephone number that a voter may call or text to
  request assistance from an election officer at the polling place.
         (a-2)  As an alternative to displaying a telephone number
  under Subsection (a-1)(2), a parking space may comply with the
  requirements of this section by providing the voter with a button or
  intercom that the voter may use to request assistance from an
  election officer.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is
  amended by adding Section 84.0121 to read as follows:
         Sec. 84.0121.  CLERK TO POST APPLICATION FORM ONLINE. (a)
  The early voting clerk shall post the official application form for
  an early voting ballot on the clerk's Internet website in a format
  that allows a person to easily complete the application directly on
  the website before printing.
         (b)  The early voting clerk may use the application form
  provided by the secretary of state under Section 84.013 or the early
  voting clerk's own application form.
         SECTION 4.  Section 84.013, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 84.013.  APPLICATION FORMS FURNISHED BY SECRETARY OF
  STATE. (a) The secretary of state shall maintain a supply of the
  official application forms for ballots to be voted by mail and shall
  furnish the forms in reasonable quantities without charge to
  individuals or organizations requesting them for distribution to
  voters.
         (b)  The secretary of state shall provide a printable
  application for a ballot by mail in a format that complies with
  Section 84.0121(a) to the early voting clerk for use under that
  section.
         SECTION 5.  Section 104.004(e), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (e)  If the voter is physically unable to enter the early
  voting polling place without personal assistance or a likelihood of
  injuring the voter's health, the clerk shall deliver the balloting
  materials to the voter at the polling place entrance or curb
  following the procedures prescribed by Section 64.009.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.