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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring counties to cooperate with the secretary of |
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state in randomized election audits; providing an administrative |
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penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 127.351(c), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) Except as provided by Section 127.352, a [A] county |
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selected to be audited may not be required to pay the cost of |
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performing an audit under this section. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter J, Chapter 127, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 127.352 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 127.352. COOPERATION BY COUNTY. (a) The secretary of |
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state may request that a county selected under Section 127.351 |
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provide to the secretary of state as necessary to complete an audit |
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under this subchapter: |
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(1) records or other documents in the possession of |
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the county; and |
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(2) the assistance of county employees. |
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(b) A county selected under Section 127.351 shall comply |
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with a request made under Subsection (a) not later than the 14th day |
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after the request is made. |
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(c) The secretary of state may assess an administrative |
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penalty of not more than $500 per day for each day following the |
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14th day after a request under Subsection (a) is made that the |
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county fails or refuses to comply with the request. |
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SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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an audit initiated under Subchapter J, Chapter 127, Election Code, |
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as amended by this Act, on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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An audit initiated before the effective date of this Act is governed |
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by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this |
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Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |