H.B. No. 488 AN ACT relating to the eligibility requirements for volunteer deputy registrars. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 13.031(d), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (d) To be eligible for appointment as a volunteer deputy registrar, a person must: (1) be 18 years of age or older; and (2) not have been finally convicted of a felony or, if so convicted, must have: (A) fully discharged the person's sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or (B) been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disability to vote. SECTION 2. Section 13.032, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 13.032. PROHIBITION ON REFUSING TO APPOINT. A registrar may not refuse to appoint as a volunteer deputy registrar: (1) a person eligible for appointment under Section 13.031(d) [resident of the county served by the registrar]; or (2) any person on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, or national origin or ancestry. SECTION 3. The appointment of a person serving as a volunteer deputy registrar who does not meet the eligibility requirements of Section 13.031(d), Election Code, as amended by this Act, expires on the effective date of this Act. The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures necessary to implement this section. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 488 was passed by the House on April 30, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 488 was passed by the Senate on May 21, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor