HBA-CMT, JEK H.B. 2693 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2693
By: Madden
Elections
4/3/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law prohibits a person from electioneering within 100 feet of a
precinct polling place, or within 30 feet of an early voting polling place.
However, the law does not define the term "electioneering."  House Bill
2693 defines "electioneering" and prohibits a person from electioneering
within 50 feet of the location of an early voting polling place and within
100 feet of a county courthouse used as a polling place.  

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 2693 amends the Election Code to prohibit a person from
electioneering within 50 rather than 30 feet of the entrance to a room or
other structure in which a polling place is located during early voting. In
addition, the bill prohibits a person from electioneering within 100 rather
than 30 feet of an outside door through which a voter may enter a county
courthouse, subcourthouse, or courthouse annex in which the polling place
is located if the commissioners court issues an order to that effect.  The
bill specifies that "electioneering" includes verbally communicating in any
manner with the intention of influencing voters or wearing or holding a
button, sticker, pin, or other paraphernalia relating to a candidate,
measure, or political party. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.