HBA-TBM H.B. 2336 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2336
By: Danburg
Elections
3/13/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

During the recent presidential campaign, the State of Florida experienced a
chaotic recount situation caused in part by the use of punch-card ballot
systems.  As a result, the federal government may make funds available to
states to update their ballot systems.  House Bill 2336 provides
methodology for the distribution of federal funds made available for
assistance in the administration of elections in Texas.   

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
(Section 31.009, Election Code) of this bill.   

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2336 amends the Election Code to provide that if federal funds
are made available to assist the state in the administration of elections,
including assistance for the phasing out or prohibition of the use of
punch-card ballot voting systems, the secretary of state is required to
administer and distribute the funds as appropriate to most effectively
facilitate the purposes for which the funds are made available.  The
secretary of state is required to prescribe any necessary rules and take
any appropriate action to implement this provision.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.