BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 766
89R22393 JDK-D	By: Cortez (Zaffirini)
	State Affairs
	5/8/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The secretary of state currently requires precinct chair applicants to provide only a mailing address, with email and phone number listed as optional. This has made it difficult for local authorities to contact applicants who do not include that optional information.

H.B. 766 would require precinct chair applicants to include their email address, phone number, or both on their application. This contact information would remain confidential and would not be considered public information.

H.B. 766 amends current law relating to the ballot application requirements for the election of a precinct chair.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 172.021, Election Code, by adding Subsections (h) and (i), as follows:

(h) Requires that an application for a place on the ballot as a candidate for precinct chair, in addition to complying with Section 141.031 (General Requirements for Application), include:

(1) an e-mail address at which the candidate receives correspondence relating to the candidate's campaign;

(2) a telephone number at which the candidate can be reached; or

(3) an e-mail address and a telephone number described by Subdivisions (1) and (2).

(i) Provides that, notwithstanding Sections 141.035 (Application as Public Information), 172.0221 (Notice to Candidate Regarding Posting of Certain Information), and 172.028 (State Chair's Certification of Names for Placement on General Primary Ballot), information provided under Subsection (h) is confidential and does not constitute public information for purposes of Chapter 552 (Public Information), Government Code.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.