Bill Text: TX HB3159 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to a contract with a county for election services.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2015-05-18 - Referred to State Affairs [HB3159 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB3159-Introduced.html

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84R12629 ADM-F
By: Fallon H.B. No. 3159

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a contract with a county for election services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 31.096, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 31.096. NONTRANSFERABLE FUNCTIONS. An election
services contract may not change:
(1) the authority with whom applications of candidates
for a place on a ballot are filed;
(2) the authority with whom documents are filed under
Title 15; or
(3) the authority to serve as custodian of voted
ballots or other election records, except that a contract with a
political subdivision [other than a city] may provide that the
county election officer will be the custodian of voted ballots.
SECTION 2. Section 87.0222(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 87.024, in an election
conducted by an authority of a county with a population of 100,000
or more, [or] conducted jointly with such a county, or conducted
with such a county through a contract for election services, the
jacket envelopes containing the early voting ballots voted by mail
may be delivered to the board between the end of the ninth day
before election day and the closing of the polls on election day, or
as soon after closing as practicable, at the time or times specified
by the presiding judge of the board.
SECTION 3. Section 87.0241(b), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The board may not count early voting ballots until:
(1) the polls open on election day; or
(2) in an election conducted by an authority of a
county with a population of 100,000 or more, [or] conducted jointly
with such a county, or conducted with such a county through a
contract for election services, the end of the period for early
voting by personal appearance.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.