87R7845 MLH-D
By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 2202
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to high school deputy voter registrars.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 13.046, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (d) and (h) and adding Subsection (e-1) to
read as follows:
(d) At least twice each school year, a high school deputy
registrar shall distribute an officially prescribed registration
application form to each student who is or will be 18 years of age or
older during that year, subject to rules prescribed by the
secretary of state. At least one such distribution must be made not
later than the 31st day before the uniform election date in
November.
(e-1) At least once each school year, the high school deputy
registrar shall provide instruction to the students at the
registrar's school, emphasizing:
(1) the importance of voting;
(2) the process of voter registration;
(3) the nature of voting systems;
(4) relevant election dates;
(5) the early voting process; and
(6) the regular locations and hours of local polling
places.
(h) The secretary of state shall:
(1) consult with the Texas Education Agency regarding
the number of registration application forms to provide to each
high school deputy registrar for distribution and provide the forms
at the beginning of each academic year;
(2) develop and implement a system for monitoring
which high schools complete the requirements under Subsection (d);
(3) issue a report at the end of each academic year
describing the degree to which high schools completed the
requirements under Subsection (d);
(4) proactively support high school deputy registrars
in completion of the requirements under Subsection (d), including
public acknowledgement of the high school deputy registrars who
consistently succeed in efforts to register students to vote;
(5) create a standardized training course for high
school deputy registrars to be taken over the Internet to instruct
the registrars in regard to best practices and their duties and
rights, and any other training the secretary sees fit; and
(6) prescribe any additional procedures necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.