85R12244 ADM-D By: Hall S.B. No. 1144 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the use of direct recording electronic voting machines. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 129, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 129.003 to read as follows: Sec. 129.003. PAPER AUDIT TRAIL REQUIRED. (a) In this section, "auditable voting system" means a voting system that: (1) uses a paper record; or (2) produces a paper receipt by which a voter can verify that the voter's ballot will be counted accurately. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a voting system that consists of direct recording electronic voting machines may not be used in an election unless the system is an auditable voting system. (c) Except for a recount under Title 13, the electronic vote is the official record of the ballot. For a recount of ballots cast on a system involving direct recording electronic voting machines, the paper record or receipt copy is the official record of the vote cast. (d) This section does not apply to an election held before September 1, 2024. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.