By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 1750

(In the Senate - Filed March 7, 2023; March 16, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; April 6, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 2; April 6, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1750 By: Hughes

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to abolishing the county elections administrator position in certain counties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER B. COUNTY ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR IN CERTAIN COUNTIES

SECTION 2. Section 31.031(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The commissioners court of a county with a population of 3.5 million or less by written order may create the position of county elections administrator for the county.

SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 31.050 to read as follows:

Sec. 31.050. ABOLISHMENT OF POSITION AND TRANSFER OF DUTIES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES. On September 1, 2023, all powers and duties of the county elections administrator of a county with a population of more than 3.5 million under this subchapter are transferred to the county tax assessor-collector and county clerk. The county tax assessor-collector shall serve as the voter registrar, and the duties and functions of the county clerk that were performed by the administrator revert to the county clerk, unless a transfer of duties and functions occurs under Section 12.031 or 31.071.

SECTION 4. On the effective date of this Act, a county that has a county elections administrator and a population of more than 3.5 million shall transfer employees, property, and records as necessary to accomplish the abolishment of the position of county elections administrator under this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

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