As of May 28, members of the Texas State Legislature, which includes the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas State Senate, have passed four bills related to election administration since the beginning of the year. Of those four bills, legislators passed two during the week of May 22-28. A bipartisan group of legislators sponsored one bill, while Republicans sponsored the other. The two bills are:
- TX SB2258: Relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date on which their general election for officers is held, Sen. Cesar Blanco (D) and Rep. Andrew Murr (R).
- As introduced, this bill authorizes a city of certain size, that has a city-manager form of government, and holds its general election for officers on a date other than the November uniform election date to change the date for its general election for officers to the November uniform election date.
- TX SB825: Relating to the deadline for submitting certain recount petitions, Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R) and Rep. Charles Cunningham (R).
- As introduced, this bill changes the deadlines for submission of recount petitions.
Of the four bills passed this year, four have been enacted. This is four more than this point a year ago. A bipartisan group of legislators sponsored three bills, while Republicans sponsored one. The bills are:
- TX SB2258: See first above bullet point for more information.
- TX SB825: See second above bullet point for more information.
- TX SB2038: Relating to release of an area from a municipality’s extraterritorial jurisdiction by petition or election, click hyperlinked bill to see sponsors.
- Establishes that residents of an area with a population of less than 200 in the municipality’s extraterritorial jurisdiction may file a petition to be released from the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
- Establishes that the owner or owners of a majority value of the land in a municipality’s extraterritorial jurisdiction may file a petition to be released from the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
- Outlines petition requirements, including signature requirements and inclusion of a map.
- Outlines administrative requirements for the municipal secretary upon receiving the petition, including signature verification and notification of residents.
- Directs that if the petition meets requirements, the municipality must immediately release the area from extraterritorial jurisdiction.
- Click the hyperlinked bill number above for more information.
- TX SB1052: Relating to the compensation of an election judge or clerk, click hyperlinked bill to see sponsors.
- As introduced, this bill prohibits a judge or clerk from being paid for more than two hours of work before the polls open except for making changes to the list of registered voters at another polling place.
From May 22-28, legislators passed nine bills related to election administration nationally. As of May 28, South Dakota legislators have passed the most bills this year with 18, while legislators in 19 states have passed none. The state with the most enacted bills is Tennessee with 17, while 20 states have enacted none.
The Texas State Legislature was scheduled to be in session from Jan. 10 to May 29 this year. In 2022, Texas legislators passed zero election-related bills. Texas is a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
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