Bill Text: TX SB31 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 1st Special Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the use of certain information regarding voter qualification.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-07-13 - Co-author authorized [SB31 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-SB31-Introduced.html
87S10043 BRG-D | ||
By: Perry | S.B. No. 31 |
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relating to the use of certain information regarding voter | ||
qualification. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Section 16.0332, Election Code, is amended by | ||
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1), (d), and (e) | ||
to read as follows: | ||
(a) After the registrar receives notification [ |
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under Subsection (a-1) of this section, Section 18.068 of this | ||
code, or Section 62.113, Government Code, of persons excused or | ||
disqualified from jury service because of citizenship status or | ||
notification of persons who indicate a lack of citizenship status | ||
in connection with a motor vehicle or Department of Public Safety | ||
record, the registrar shall deliver to each registered voter whose | ||
name appears on the list a written notice requiring the voter to | ||
submit to the registrar proof of United States citizenship in the | ||
form of a certified copy of the voter's birth certificate, United | ||
States passport, or certificate of naturalization or any other form | ||
prescribed by the secretary of state. The notice shall be delivered | ||
by forwardable mail to the mailing address on the voter's | ||
registration application and to any new address of the voter known | ||
to the registrar. | ||
(a-1) The secretary of state shall enter into an agreement | ||
with the Department of Public Safety under which information in the | ||
existing statewide computerized voter registration list is | ||
compared against information in the database of the Department of | ||
Public Safety on a monthly basis to verify the accuracy of | ||
citizenship status information previously provided on voter | ||
registration applications. | ||
(d) The secretary of state shall prescribe rules for the | ||
administration of this section. | ||
(e) Not later than December 31 of each year, the secretary | ||
of state shall provide a report to the legislature of the number of | ||
voter registrations canceled under this section during the calendar | ||
year. | ||
SECTION 2. Section 18.068(a), Election Code, is amended by | ||
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as | ||
follows: | ||
(a) The secretary of state shall quarterly compare the | ||
information received under Section 16.001 of this code and Sections | ||
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computerized voter registration list. If the secretary determines | ||
that a voter on the registration list is deceased or has been | ||
excused or disqualified from jury service because the voter is not a | ||
citizen or a resident of the county in which the voter is registered | ||
to vote, the secretary shall send notice of the determination to: | ||
(1) the voter registrar of the counties considered | ||
appropriate by the secretary; and | ||
(2) the attorney general, who shall quarterly review | ||
the information to investigate whether a person has committed an | ||
offense under Section 13.007 or other law. | ||
(a-1) The secretary of state is not required to send notice | ||
under Subsection (a) for a voter who is subject to an exemption from | ||
jury service under Section 62.106, Government Code. | ||
SECTION 3. Section 62.113(b), Government Code, is amended | ||
to read as follows: | ||
(b) On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall | ||
send a copy of the list of persons excused or disqualified because | ||
of citizenship in the previous month to: | ||
(1) the voter registrar of the county; | ||
(2) the secretary of state; and | ||
(3) the attorney general and the county or district | ||
attorney[ |
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person committed an offense under Section 13.007, Election Code, or | ||
other law. | ||
SECTION 4. Sections 62.114(b) and (c), Government Code, are | ||
amended to read as follows: | ||
(b) On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall | ||
send [ |
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persons excused or disqualified in the previous month because the | ||
persons do not reside in the county to: | ||
(1) the voter registrar of the county; | ||
(2) the secretary of state; and | ||
(3) the attorney general and the county or district | ||
attorney for an investigation of whether the person committed an | ||
offense under Section 13.007, Election Code, or other law. | ||
(c) A list compiled under this section may not be used for a | ||
purpose other than a purpose described by Subsection (b) or Section | ||
15.081 or 18.068, Election Code. | ||
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | ||
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | ||
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | ||
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | ||
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the | ||
legislative session. |