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.