Texas 2021 87th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2859 Comm Sub / Bill

Filed 04/29/2021

                    87R21531 SLB-D
 By: Bucy H.B. No. 2859
 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2859:
 By:  Bucy C.S.H.B. No. 2859


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the secretary of state posting on the secretary of
 state's Internet website databases containing certain information
 about elections.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Section 4.003(e), Election Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (e)  The authority responsible for giving notice of the
 election shall deliver to the secretary of state:
 (1)  a copy of the notice of a consolidated precinct
 required by Subsection (b) not later than the date of the election;
 and
 (2)  information for the secretary of state's database
 of election information under Section 31.017 in an electronic
 format required by the secretary of state.
 SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Election Code, is
 amended by adding Sections 31.017 and 31.018 to read as follows:
 Sec. 31.017.  INTERNET DATABASE OF ELECTION INFORMATION.
 (a) The secretary of state shall post on the secretary of state's
 public Internet website a database containing information provided
 by each authority responsible for giving notice of an election in
 this state. The database must include the following information:
 (1)  the name of the authority;
 (2)  each office to be filled at the election;
 (3)  whether the office is elected at large or by
 district; and
 (4)  the dates of the preceding and next election for
 the office.
 (b)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules as necessary to
 implement this section.
 Sec. 31.018.  INTERNET DATABASE FOR INCUMBENTS AND
 CANDIDATES. (a) The secretary of state shall post on the secretary
 of state's Internet website a database containing information about
 each holder of and candidate for any elected office in this state.
 (b)  The database must include the following information
 about a holder of an elected office:
 (1)  name;
 (2)  office title, including any district, place, or
 position;
 (3)  if the office is elected at large or by district;
 (4)  date of the previous and next election for the
 office;
 (5)  public mailing address;
 (6)  public telephone number, if available; and
 (7)  public e-mail address, if available.
 (c)  The database must include the following information
 about a candidate for an elected office:
 (1)  name;
 (2)  office sought, including any district, place, or
 position;
 (3)  if the office is elected at large or by district;
 (4)  date of the election;
 (5)  public mailing address;
 (6)  public telephone number, if available;
 (7)  public e-mail address, if available;
 (8)  name of the incumbent; and
 (9)  if the candidate has filed as a write-in
 candidate.
 (d)  The authority with whom a declaration of candidacy is
 filed, a state chair of a political party, or the presiding officer
 of a political party's convention shall provide information about a
 candidate or officeholder to the secretary of state.
 (e)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules as necessary to
 implement this section.
 SECTION 3.  Section 141.032, Election Code, is amended by
 adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
 (h)  The authority with whom the application is filed shall
 provide the secretary of state with the candidate's information
 required for the secretary of state's Internet website under
 Section 31.018.
 SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.