Bill Text: TX HB378 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the authority of certain entities and individuals to prevent individuals from accessing private property for the purpose of registering voters or communicating political messages.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-23 - Referred to Elections [HB378 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB378-Introduced.html
  88R1784 CJD-D
 
  By: Bucy H.B. No. 378
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the authority of certain entities and individuals to
  prevent individuals from accessing private property for the purpose
  of registering voters or communicating political messages.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 276, Election Code, is amended by adding
  Section 276.020 to read as follows:
         Sec. 276.020.  DOOR TO DOOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND POLITICAL
  MESSAGING.  (a) In this section, "residential unit" includes a
  single-family house, a single-family house located in a residential
  subdivision or housing development, an apartment, a condominium, or
  another unit in a multifamily residential structure.
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), a political
  subdivision, property owners' association, homeowners' 
  association, or property manager may not adopt or enforce a rule,
  order, ordinance, or policy that prevents an individual from
  knocking on the front door of a residential unit, ringing the
  doorbell of the unit, or leaving a pamphlet, flier, or other form of
  written communication at the unit for the purpose of:
               (1)  assisting an occupant of the unit with registering
  to vote; or
               (2)  communicating to an occupant of the unit support
  or opposition for:
                     (A)  a candidate for nomination or election to
  public office or office of a political party;
                     (B)  a political party; or
                     (C)  a measure, as defined by Section 251.001.
         (c)  A political subdivision, property owners' association,
  homeowners' association, or property manager may adopt and enforce
  a reasonable restriction on the time, place, or manner of an
  activity described by Subsection (b).
         (d)  A peace officer, as that term is described by Article
  2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or private party may not prevent
  an individual from engaging in an activity described by Subsection
  (b) unless the officer or party reasonably believes that the
  activity poses a threat to a person or property or is in violation
  of a statute, ordinance, order, rule, or policy.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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