By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1072
(Rodriguez of Travis)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the removal of a precinct or county chair for
abandonment of office.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 171, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 171.029 to read as follows:
Sec. 171.029. REMOVAL OF PRECINCT CHAIR OR COUNTY CHAIR FOR
ABANDONMENT OF OFFICE. (a) A precinct or county chair who has
failed to perform statutory duties provided by this code or failed
to attend four or more consecutive meetings of the county executive
committee may be removed for abandonment of office as provided by
this section.
(b) If authorized by a resolution passed by the county
executive committee, a county chair may send a notice to a precinct
chair that states that the precinct chair is considered to have
abandoned the office of precinct chair and the duties of the office.
The notice must:
(1) state the reasons the county executive committee
believes the precinct chair has abandoned the office;
(2) be sent by certified mail; and
(3) request a response from the precinct chair not
later than the seventh day after the date the precinct chair
receives the notice.
(c) If authorized by a resolution passed by the state
executive committee, a state chair may send a notice to a county
chair that states that the county chair is considered to have
abandoned the office of county chair and the duties of the office.
The notice must:
(1) state the reasons the state executive committee
believes the county chair has abandoned the office;
(2) be sent by certified mail; and
(3) request a response from the county chair not later
than the seventh day after the date the county chair receives the
notice.
(d) A precinct or county chair must respond to a notice
under Subsection (b) or (c) on or before the seventh day after the
date the chair receives the notice and state whether the chair
wishes to continue in office. A chair's failure to respond and
affirmatively state that the chair wishes to remain in office
results in a vacancy in the office of precinct or county chair, as
applicable. The vacancy shall be filled as provided by this
subchapter.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.