Bill Text: TX SB1935 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to requiring counties to cooperate with the secretary of state in randomized election audits; providing an administrative penalty.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-20 - Referred to State Affairs [SB1935 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB1935-Introduced.html

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88R10142 TSS-D
By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 1935

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring counties to cooperate with the secretary of
state in randomized election audits; providing an administrative
penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 127.351(c), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) Except as provided by Section 127.352, a [A] county
selected to be audited may not be required to pay the cost of
performing an audit under this section.
SECTION 2. Subchapter J, Chapter 127, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 127.352 to read as follows:
Sec. 127.352. COOPERATION BY COUNTY. (a) The secretary of
state may request that a county selected under Section 127.351
provide to the secretary of state as necessary to complete an audit
under this subchapter:
(1) records or other documents in the possession of
the county; and
(2) the assistance of county employees.
(b) A county selected under Section 127.351 shall comply
with a request made under Subsection (a) not later than the 14th day
after the request is made.
(c) The secretary of state may assess an administrative
penalty of not more than $500 per day for each day following the
14th day after a request under Subsection (a) is made that the
county fails or refuses to comply with the request.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an audit initiated under Subchapter J, Chapter 127, Election Code,
as amended by this Act, on or after the effective date of this Act.
An audit initiated before the effective date of this Act is governed
by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this
Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.