HBA-DMH, SEP H.B. 424 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 424 By: Tillery Elections 3/18/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The use of punch-card ballots in public elections has become a source of controversy. There are concerns about whether punch-card ballots are accurate and user-friendly and whether a voter's intent may be determined if a recount occurs. Other methods, such as optical scanning systems, may offer a greater degree of accuracy than punch-card ballot systems and promote increased voter confidence. House Bill 424 prohibits the use of punch-card ballot voting systems. 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 424 amends the Election Code to prohibit the use of a voting system in an election if the system uses a punch-card ballot or similar form of tabulating card. The bill repeals law relating to the use of punchcard election ballots. A political subdivision using a punch-card ballot or similar form of tabulating card is authorized to seek financial assistance from the secretary of state for the acquisition of a new voting system if the secretary determines that the political subdivision would be financially unable to abandon the prohibited voting system. EFFECTIVE DATE Financial assistance provisions take effect beginning September 1, 2001. The remainder of the Act takes effect January 1, 2002.