HBA-JEK S.B. 1311 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1311
By: Staples
Elections
5/18/2001
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Many individuals rely on mail-forwarding services to receive their mail
after relocating to a new residence. The delivery of a voting registration
challenge on the basis of residence may be slowed by the additional time
required for mail-forwarding, often making it impossible for a voter to
receive and respond to the notice in time to vote in the next election.
Senate Bill 1311 prohibits a challenge of a voter's registration on the
basis of residence after the 75th day before election day.  

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 1311 amends the Election Code to prohibit a challenge of a
voter's registration as to a particular election on the basis of residence
after the 75th day before election day.  The bill also prohibits a voter
registrar from delivering a notice requesting the confirmation of the
voter's current residence to such a voter until after election day. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 prohibits a voter's initial registration as to a
particular election from being challenged on the basis of residence after
the 30th day before election day.  The amendment prohibits a voter
registrar from delivering a confirmation notice to a voter whose initial
registration is challenged on the basis of residence until after election
day.