HBA-DMH S.B. 1309 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1309
By: Staples
Elections
5/18/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there are no provisions in Texas law that provide for an
individual's ability to challenge a group of voters with a single affidavit
or that stipulate whether or not the individual challenging a voter must
possess specific personal knowledge that a challenged voter does not posses
a specific qualification for remaining registered. Senate Bill 1309 adds
requirements that a challenge to a voter's registration must be based upon
personal knowledge of each challenged voter's lack of qualifications.  

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

Senate Bill 1309 amends the Election Code to provide that a voter filing a
sworn statement to challenge the registration of another voter must
properly identify each challenged voter in the sworn statement and must
state a challenge, based upon personal knowledge, that each challenged
voter does not possess a specific qualification for remaining registered.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.