By: Springer S.B. No. 924
 
  (Hayes)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the combination of certain election precincts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 42.006(a), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Except as [otherwise] provided by this section and
  Section 42.0051, a county election precinct must contain at least
  100 but not more than 5,000 registered voters.
         SECTION 2.  Section 42.0051, Election Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  This section applies only to a county with a population
  of less than 1.2 million.
         (a-1)  In a general or special election for which use of
  county election precincts is required, the commissioner's court [If
  changes in county election precinct boundaries to give effect to a
  redistricting plan result in county election precincts with a
  number of registered voters less than 500, a commissioners court
  for a general or special election, or for a primary election the
  county executive committee of a political party conducting a
  primary election,] may, on the recommendation of the county
  election board, combine county election precincts notwithstanding
  Section 42.005 if:
               (1)  the commissioners court cannot secure a suitable
  polling place location under Section 43.031; and
               (2)  the location of the combined polling place
  adequately serves the voters of the combined precinct [to avoid
  unreasonable expenditures for election equipment, supplies, and
  personnel].
         (c)  A combined precinct under this section may not contain
  more than 10,000 registered voters [is subject to the maximum
  population prescribed for a precinct under Section 42.006].
         SECTION 3.  Section 42.0051(b), Election Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.