HBA-CMT, JEK C.S.H.B. 2693 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 2693 By: Madden Elections 4/16/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) 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." C.S.H.B. 2693 defines "electioneering" and prohibits a person from electioneering within 50 feet of the location of a voting or early voting polling place, including a county courthouse. 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 C.S.H.B. 2693 amends the Election Code to prohibit a person from electioneering within 50 rather than 30 feet of the entrance to a room, building, or other structure in which a polling place is located during voting or early voting. In addition, the bill prohibits a person from electioneering within 50 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 provides that a person commits a Class C misdemeanor if during the regular voting period the person loiters or electioneers within 50 rather than 100 feet of an outside door through which a voter may enter the building in which a polling place is located. 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. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 2693 differs from the original bill by prohibiting a person from electioneering within 50 feet of the outside door of a polling place or precinct polling place. The substitute also changes from 100 to 50 feet the distance in which a person is prohibited from electioneering near a door through which a voter may enter a county courthouse, subcourthouse, or courthouse annex in which a polling place is located.