HBA-JEK H.B. 1419 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1419
By: Jones, Jesse
Elections
7/25/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The close outcomes of several recent elections suggest that a review of the
current election process to determine the accuracy of voting systems may be
appropriate.  House Bill 1419 requires the secretary of state to reexamine
the voting system of each county in Texas, to study the effectiveness of
adopting a uniform voting system statewide, and study innovative voting
technologies and approaches to voting. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the secretary of state in SECTION 1 of
this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1419 requires the secretary of state to reexamine the voting
system of each county to determine whether the voting system complies with
applicable standards prescribed by law.  The bill requires the secretary of
state to study the effectiveness of adopting a uniform voting system and to
study and evaluate the potential for implementing innovative voting
technologies and approaches to voting in this state. 

H.B. 1419 requires the secretary of state to issue a report not later than
December 1, 2002, that summarizes conclusions and recommendations for
legislation.  The bill requires the secretary of state to promptly deliver
copies of the report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the
speaker of the house of representatives, and authorizes the secretary of
state to adopt rules necessary to implement the study. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.