85R23672 ADM-F
By: Bernal H.B. No. 658
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 658:
By: Laubenberg C.S.H.B. No. 658
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to priority voting for voters with certain disabilities
substantially impairing mobility.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 63, Election Code, is amended by adding
Section 63.0013 to read as follows:
Sec. 63.0013. ACCEPTING VOTERS WITH CERTAIN DISABILITIES.
(a) In this section, "mobility problem that substantially impairs a
person's ability to ambulate" has the meaning assigned by Section
681.001, Transportation Code.
(b) An election officer may accept a person with a mobility
problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate
who is offering to vote before accepting others offering to vote at
the polling place who arrived before the person.
(c) Notice of the priority given to persons with a mobility
problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate
shall be posted:
(1) at one or more locations in each polling place
where it can be read by persons waiting to vote;
(2) on the Internet website of the secretary of state;
and
(3) on each Internet website relating to elections
maintained by a county.
(d) The notice required by Subsection (c) must read:
"Pursuant to Section 63.0013, Election Code, an election officer
may give voting order priority to individuals with a mobility
problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to move
around. A person assisting an individual with a mobility problem
may also, at the individual's request, be given voting order
priority. Disabilities and conditions that may qualify you for
voting order priority include paralysis, lung disease, the use of
portable oxygen, cardiac deficiency, severe limitation in the
ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic
condition, wheelchair confinement, arthritis, foot disorder, the
inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or use of a
brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive device."
(e) A person assisting a voter in accordance with Section
64.032(c) may be accepted to vote concurrently with a person
accepted under Subsection (b) of this section at the voter's
request.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.