Bill Text: TX SB35 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 1st Special Session | Introduced

Texas Senate Bill 35 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to automatic voter registration of students enrolled in public institutions of higher education.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-07-08 - Filed [SB35 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB35-Introduced.html

	87S10345 SMT-D

	By: West	S.B. No. 35



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to automatic voter registration of students enrolled in
	public institutions of higher education.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Election Code, is
	amended by adding Section 13.010 to read as follows:
	Sec. 13.010. VOTER REGISTRATION THROUGH INSTITUTIONS OF
	HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) The voter registrar of each county shall
	automatically register any county resident who is eligible to vote
	as provided by Section 13.001 and is enrolled in an institution of
	higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
	(b) A student's application for enrollment in an
	institution of higher education with an indication provided by
	Section 20.133(b) that the enrollment is not for voter registration
	purposes is not subject to this section.
	(c) The secretary of state shall adopt rules and prescribe
	procedures for the implementation of this section.
	SECTION 2. Section 20.001, Election Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
	(f) Each institution of higher education, as defined by
	Section 61.003, Education Code, is designated as a voter
	registration agency.
	SECTION 3. Chapter 20, Election Code, is amended by adding
	Subchapter F to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER F. INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
	Sec. 20.131. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "institution
	of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003,
	Education Code.
	Sec. 20.132. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS. The other
	provisions of this chapter apply to an institution of higher
	education except provisions that conflict with this subchapter or
	Section 13.010.
	Sec. 20.133. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. (a) An institution
	of higher education shall consider each person of voting age who
	enrolls at the institution an applicant for voter registration,
	except as otherwise indicated by the person.
	(b) An institution of higher education shall prescribe and
	use a form and procedure that combines the institution's
	application for enrollment with an officially prescribed voter
	registration application form. The form and procedure must include
	the option for an applicant to provide an appropriate address at the
	time of enrollment in the institution. The form must allow an
	applicant to indicate that the applicant does not wish the
	applicant's enrollment to be used for voter registration purposes.
	(c) The design, content, and physical characteristics of
	the institution's forms must be approved by the secretary of state.
	Sec. 20.134. RULES. The secretary of state shall prescribe
	additional procedures as necessary to implement this subchapter.
	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
	last day of the legislative session.