BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 53
89RS20980 MPF-D	By: Hughes
	State Affairs
	8/26/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

As proposed, S.B. 53 amends current law relating to election procedures regarding accepting a voter with a residence address that is not current and the immediate effect of a voter's registration after the registrar's receipt of certain change of address notices.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

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SECTION 1. Amends Section 15.025(a), Election Code, as effective September 1, 2025, to delete existing text creating an exception under Subsection (e) (relating to providing that a voter's registration takes effect immediately upon the registrar's receipt of a certain notice).

SECTION 2. Amends Section 63.0011, Election Code, as effective September 1, 2025, by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (b-1), as follows:

(b) Authorizes a voter, if the voter's residence address is not current because the voter has changed residence within the county, if otherwise eligible, to vote in the election precinct in which the voter is registered, rather than resides, if the voter resides in the county in which the voter is registered.

(b-1) Provides that a voter accepted for voting under Subsection (b) is authorized only to cast a provisional ballot under Section 63.011 (Provisional Voting) and only to vote on each office or proposition stating a measure to be voted on countywide.

(c) Requires the voter, before being accepted for voting, to execute and submit to an election officer a statement including certain information, including a statement that the voter satisfies the applicable residence requirements, rather than the applicable residence requirement, provided by Subsection (b). Deletes existing text requiring the voter, before being accepted for voting, to execute and submit to an election officer a statement including a request to the registrar to change the voter's registration address to the address at which the voter resides. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 63.011(a), Election Code, to authorize a person to whom certain provisions, including Section 63.0011(b-1), apply to cast a provisional ballot if the person executes an affidavit stating that the person meets certain criteria.

SECTION 4. Repealer: Section 15.025(e) (relating to providing that a voter's registration takes effect immediately upon the registrar's receipt of a certain notice), Election Code, as effective September 1, 2025.

SECTION 5. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 6. Makes application of Section 63.011, Election Code, as amended by this Act, prospective.

SECTION 7. Effective date: upon passage or the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.