HBA-CMT H.B. 2121 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2121
By: Grusendorf
Elections
3/27/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently in Texas, a convicted felon is denied the right to vote for five
years after completion of his or her sentence.  Many believe that this
right should be limited to citizens who have not been convicted of a
felony. House Bill 2121 permanently denies a person convicted of a felony
the right to vote. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2121 amends the Elections Code to provide that a person who has
been finally convicted of a felony and has fully discharged the person's
sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, or
completed a period of probation ordered by any court, is not a qualified
voter or eligible for registration as a voter in this state. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.