87R13999 MLH-F
 
  By: Bonnen, Goldman, et al. H.B. No. 574
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 574:
 
  By:  Clardy C.S.H.B. No. 574
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the elements of the criminal offense of election fraud;
  increasing criminal penalties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 276.013(a) and (b), Election Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or
  intentionally makes any effort to:
               (1)  influence the independent exercise of the vote of
  another in the presence of the ballot or during the voting process;
               (2)  cause a voter to become registered, a ballot to be
  obtained, or a vote to be cast under false pretenses; [or]
               (3)  count invalid votes or alter a report to include
  invalid votes;
               (4)  fail to count valid votes or alter a report to
  exclude valid votes; or
               (5) [(3)]  cause any intentionally misleading
  statement, representation, or information to be provided:
                     (A)  to an election official; or
                     (B)  on an application for ballot by mail, carrier
  envelope, or any other official election-related form or document.
         (b)  An offense under this section is a felony of the second
  degree [Class A misdemeanor].
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.