Bill Text: TX HB999 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the public inspection of election records.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [HB999 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB999-Introduced.html
 
 
  By: Toth H.B. No. 999
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the public inspection of election records.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1.012, Election Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a), (d), and (e) and adding Subsections (f)
  and (g) to read as follows:
         (a)  An [Subject to Subsection (b), an] election record that
  is public information shall be made available to the public during
  the regular business hours of the record's custodian not later than
  10 days after the date the custodian receives a request for public
  inspection.
         (d)  In this code, "election record" includes:
               (1)  anything created, distributed, or received by
  government under this code;
               (2)  anything required by law to be kept by others for
  information of government under this code; or
               (3)  a certificate, application, notice, report, or
  other document or paper issued, created, or received by government
  under this code.
         (e)  Except as provided by Subsection (f), an [An] election
  record shall be available not later than the 15th day after election
  day in an electronic format for a fee of not more than $50.
         (f)  Not later than the 60th day after election day, the
  general custodian of election records shall make available for
  public inspection election records that are:
               (1)  original voted ballots; or
               (2)  images of voted ballots, if a county maintains
  images of voted ballots.
         (g)  The custodian shall adopt procedures to ensure the
  redaction of any personally identifiable information of the voter
  contained on a ballot before making the voted ballot available for
  public inspection.
         SECTION 2.  Section 1.012(b), Election Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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