Bill Text: TX HB376 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the plan for the operation of a central counting station.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [HB376 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB376-Introduced.html
  89R1563 MPF-F
 
  By: Hayes H.B. No. 376
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the plan for the operation of a central counting
  station.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 127.007, Election Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsections (d) and (e)
  to read as follows:
         (b)  The plan required under this section must include:
               (1)  information on [address] the process for comparing
  the number of voters who signed the combination form or electronic
  poll list with the number of votes cast for the entire election;
               (2)  who will provide information to the presiding
  judge of the central counting station to complete the
  reconciliation of votes and voters conducted under Section
  127.131(f);
               (3)  the date, time, and location of the second and
  third logic and accuracy tests to be conducted at the central
  counting station or regional tabulating center serving the central
  counting station and the procedures regarding an unsuccessful logic
  and accuracy test;
               (4)  the date, time, and place the central counting
  station will operate before, on, and after election day, as
  applicable;
               (5)  the names of the tabulation supervisor, central
  counting station manager, presiding judge, and alternate presiding
  judge and the party affiliations of the presiding judge and
  alternate presiding judge in the central counting stations and
  regional tabulating center serving the central counting station, as
  applicable;
               (6)  the procedure regarding ballot security,
  including ballot storage and chain of custody procedures from the
  time the central counting station or regional tabulating center
  receives a sealed ballot box under Section 127.068 through the
  period for preserving the precinct election records under Section
  66.058; and
               (7)  information regarding the livestream available to
  the public under Section 127.1232.
         (c)  Not later than the fifth day before election day:
               (1)  the [The] plan required under this section must be
  posted on the county's Internet website in the same location that
  the county clerk provides information on elections held by the
  county; and
               (2)  a copy of the plan, including the contact
  information of the persons described by Subsection (b)(5), must be
  provided to the members of the county election board [available to
  the public on request not later than 5 p.m. on the fifth day before
  the date of the election].
         (d)  If a plan required by this section is revised after the
  date the plan is posted in accordance with Subsection (c), the
  county's Internet website must be updated to include:
               (1)  the plan with incorporated revisions; and
               (2)  either:
                     (A)  a list with the date of each revision and the
  section revised; or
                     (B)  a revised version of the plan conspicuously
  displaying each revision and the date of those revisions.
         (e)  The contact information of a person described by
  Subsection (b)(5) is not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
  Government Code. 
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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