Texas House Bill HB248

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/14/08

Caption

Relating to the protection of the rights of Texas voters without regard to race, color, ethnicity, or membership in a language minority group.

Impact

This legislation represents a significant amendment to Texas's Election Code. By adding Section 276.011, the bill provides a clear legal framework for individuals to address grievances related to voting access and discrimination. The requirement that courts assess the openness of political processes enhances the legal protections for disenfranchised groups, aiming to boost political representation of racial and ethnic minorities in the electoral system. The law mandates that voting rights cannot be diluted, reinforcing the principles of equality and fairness in political engagement.

Summary

House Bill 248 aims to safeguard the voting rights of individuals in Texas by prohibiting any law or regulation that leads to the denial or abridgement of these rights based on race, color, ethnicity, or language minority membership. The bill emphasizes that political processes must be equally accessible to all groups, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to participate in elections and political representation. Any affected individual has the right to initiate a civil action to enforce these provisions, making local government and electoral bodies more accountable in their practices.

Contention

Some potential areas of contention surrounding HB 248 could arise regarding the interpretation of 'dilution of voting rights' and how judges determine whether a political process is equitably accessible. Critics might argue that the language of the bill is too broad, allowing for numerous civil suits that could burden local jurisdictions. Additionally, the bill's implications on regulations perceived to disproportionately affect particular groups could lead to debates around what constitutes 'equal opportunity' in the political process.

Last_action

As of April 27, 2009, House Bill 248 was left pending in committee, indicating that further consideration or debate is necessary before it could proceed to a vote.