Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB657

Filed
11/12/24  
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to requirements for counties posting election information on an Internet website.

Impact

The bill directly impacts the Election Code, amending Section 31.125 to include new subsections that require compliance with the designated website standards. By enforcing these requirements, the bill seeks to standardize how election-related information is presented, thereby fostering a more uniform approach across different counties in Texas. This could potentially lead to increased public trust in electoral processes by ensuring that information is more readily available and less fragmented than before.

Summary

House Bill 657 aims to enhance the transparency of election processes at the county level in Texas by mandating that counties post election information on official government websites. The bill specifies that counties must use the top-level domain '.gov' for these websites, ensuring that the information is accessible and trusted by the public. It allows for the use of the alternative domain '.texas.gov' under certain conditions, which ensures counties have flexibility in complying with the new requirements. The implementation timeline for this mandate is set to be effective from September 1, 2025, giving counties until September 1, 2026, to align with these new standards.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 657 appears to be generally positive, particularly among advocates for government transparency and civic engagement. Supporters argue that by establishing clear standards for posting election information, the bill will help facilitate greater accountability and provide citizens with reliable access to elections-related content. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the readiness of all counties to meet these new requirements by the set deadlines, pointing to the potential for discrepancies in compliance and execution across the state.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding HB 657 is the concern about the practical implications for counties, particularly smaller ones with limited resources. While the intention is to improve access to information, there are worries that not all counties may be equipped to transition to the new website domains swiftly or effectively. Critics may argue that this could inadvertently create barriers for certain communities, undermining the very goal of increasing transparency and access to electoral information.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Election Code

  • Chapter 31. Officers To Administer Elections
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB3174

Relating to requirements for counties posting election information on an Internet website.

TX HB380

Relating to the secretary of state posting on the secretary of state's Internet website databases containing certain information about elections.

TX HB5034

Relating to the posting of an application for a place on the ballot in certain elections on an election authority's internet website.

TX SB62

Relating to posting certain documents and information related to certain real property sales on a county's Internet website.

TX HB5057

Relating to a requirement that certain appraisal districts maintain an Internet website and post certain information on the website.

TX SB2415

Relating to a requirement that certain appraisal districts maintain an Internet website and post certain information on the website.

TX SB1205

Relating to the modernization of information technology of state agencies and certain local governments.

TX HB3017

Relating to the required posting by governmental entities of employee contracts and compensation on entity Internet websites.

TX SB1842

Relating to a requirement that an appraisal district maintain and post certain information on an Internet website; making conforming changes.

TX HB3273

Relating to public notice of the availability on the Internet of property-tax-related information.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.