Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1607 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	87R7189 ADM-D
2	2	By: Hall S.B. No. 1607
3	3
4	4
5	5	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	6	AN ACT
7	7	relating to elections; creating criminal offenses; providing a
8	8	civil penalty.
9	9	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
10	10	SECTION 1. Section 13.002(c), Election Code, is amended to
11	11	read as follows:
12	12	(c) A registration application must include:
13	13	(1) the applicant's first name, middle name, if any,
14	14	last name, and former name, if any;
15	15	(2) the month, day, and year of the applicant's birth;
16	16	(3) a statement that the applicant is a United States
17	17	citizen;
18	18	(4) a statement that the applicant is a resident of the
19	19	county;
20	20	(5) a statement that the applicant has not been
21	21	determined by a final judgment of a court exercising probate
22	22	jurisdiction to be:
23	23	(A) totally mentally incapacitated; or
24	24	(B) partially mentally incapacitated without the
25	25	right to vote;
26	26	(6) a statement that the applicant has not been
27	27	finally convicted of a felony or that the applicant is a felon
28	28	eligible for registration under Section 13.001;
29	29	(7) the applicant's residence address or, if the
30	30	residence has no address, the address at which the applicant
31	31	receives mail and a concise description of the location of the
32	32	applicant's residence;
33	33	(8) the following information:
34	34	(A) the applicant's Texas driver's license number
35	35	or the number of a personal identification card issued by the
36	36	Department of Public Safety and the applicant's social security
37	37	number;
38	38	(B) if the applicant has not been issued one of
39	39	the numbers [a number] described by Paragraph (A), the number
40	40	described by Paragraph (A) that the applicant has been issued and a
41	41	statement by the applicant that the applicant has not been issued
42	42	the other number [the last four digits of the applicant's social
43	43	security number]; or
44	44	(C) a statement by the applicant that the
45	45	applicant has not been issued a number described by Paragraph (A)
46	46	[or (B)];
47	47	(9) if the application is made by an agent, a statement
48	48	of the agent's relationship to the applicant; [and]
49	49	(10) the city and county in which the applicant
50	50	formerly resided; and
51	51	(11) a list of all counties in this state in which the
52	52	applicant is or has been registered to vote.
53	53	SECTION 2. Section 13.004, Election Code, is amended by
54	54	adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:
55	55	(f) The registrar shall furnish a copy of a list of voters
56	56	registered in the county to any person requesting it or shall
57	57	furnish that portion of the list requested. A list or portion of a
58	58	list provided under this subsection may not include information
59	59	made confidential under Subsection (c) or other law.
60	60	(g) The registrar may not charge a fee for providing a list
61	61	or portion of a list under Subsection (f).
62	62	SECTION 3. Section 13.071, Election Code, is amended to
63	63	read as follows:
64	64	Sec. 13.071. REVIEW OF APPLICATION. (a) The registrar
65	65	shall review each submitted application for registration to
66	66	determine whether it complies with Section 13.002 and indicates
67	67	that the applicant is a United States citizen eligible for
68	68	registration.
69	69	(b) If the application is submitted to the Department of
70	70	Public Safety in person with the proof of citizenship required by
71	71	Section 20.063(e), the [The] registrar shall make the determination
72	72	not later than the seventh day after the date the application is
73	73	submitted to the registrar.
74	74	(c) If the application is submitted in a manner other than
75	75	the manner described by Subsection (b), the registrar shall forward
76	76	the information relating to the applicant to the secretary of state
77	77	for determining citizenship as provided by Section 13.0721.
78	78	SECTION 4. Section 13.072, Election Code, is amended by
79	79	amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1), (a-2), and
80	80	(e) to read as follows:
81	81	(a) Unless the registrar challenges the applicant, the
82	82	registrar shall approve the application if:
83	83	(1) the registrar determines that an application
84	84	complies with Section 13.002 and indicates that the applicant is
85	85	eligible for registration; [and]
86	86	(2) for an applicant who has not included a statement
87	87	described by Section 13.002(c)(8)(C), the registrar verifies with
88	88	the secretary of state:
89	89	(A) the applicant's Texas driver's license number
90	90	or number of a personal identification card issued by the
91	91	Department of Public Safety; [or]
92	92	(B) the [last four digits of the] applicant's
93	93	social security number; or
94	94	(C) both the numbers described by Paragraphs (A)
95	95	and (B), if provided by the applicant;
96	96	(3) the registrar determines that the residence
97	97	address or residence description provided by the applicant under
98	98	Section 13.002(c)(7):
99	99	(A) corresponds to a house, apartment building,
100	100	lodging house, boarding house, dormitory, residence hall, group
101	101	home, residential treatment center, nursing home, nursing or
102	102	long-term care facility, correctional facility, dormitory or
103	103	residence hall, shelter, or any other location at which a person
104	104	could reasonably reside; and
105	105	(B) has not been used as a residence address or
106	106	description by a number of applicants for voter registration
107	107	greater than the number of people that could reasonably reside at
108	108	the address; and
109	109	(4) the registrar verifies the applicant's signature
110	110	by comparing it with any signature of the voter obtained from the
111	111	Department of Public Safety.
112	112	(a-1) A voter registrar shall enter into an agreement with
113	113	the Department of Public Safety under which a signature in the
114	114	database of the Department of Public Safety is provided to the
115	115	registrar if it is a signature of a person over the age of 18 who
116	116	resides in the county.
117	117	(a-2) Before approving an application by an applicant who
118	118	has indicated that they are or have been registered in another
119	119	county under Section 13.002(c)(11), the registrar shall obtain from
120	120	the other county's registrar any information or documentation
121	121	relating to the applicant in the possession of the other county's
122	122	registrar.
123	123	(e) If the registrar is unable to make a determination
124	124	regarding the residence address or description provided by the
125	125	applicant under Subsection (a)(3), the registrar shall challenge
126	126	the applicant under Section 13.074.
127	127	SECTION 5. Subchapter C, Chapter 13, Election Code, is
128	128	amended by adding Section 13.0721 to read as follows:
129	129	Sec. 13.0721. DETERMINATION OF CITIZENSHIP. (a) This
130	130	section does not apply to an application for registration submitted
131	131	to the Department of Public Safety in person with the proof of
132	132	citizenship required by Section 20.063(e).
133	133	(b) The secretary of state shall verify with the Department
134	134	of Public Safety the citizenship status of each applicant for voter
135	135	registration whose information is forwarded to the secretary of
136	136	state as provided by Section 13.071(c). If the department verifies
137	137	the applicant's citizenship status, the secretary of state shall
138	138	notify the registrar. If the department does not have information
139	139	regarding the citizenship status of the applicant or has
140	140	information indicating that the applicant is not a citizen, the
141	141	registrar and the applicant shall be notified as provided by
142	142	secretary of state rule.
143	143	(c) An applicant for voter registration who receives notice
144	144	under Subsection (b) must provide proof of citizenship to the
145	145	registrar not later than the 60th day after the date of receipt.
146	146	Except as provided by Subsection (d), this proof must be presented
147	147	in person. The following is acceptable as proof of citizenship
148	148	under this section:
149	149	(1) an unexpired passport issued to the person;
150	150	(2) a certified copy of a birth certificate or other
151	151	document confirming the person's birth that is admissible in a
152	152	court of law and establishes the person's identity, presented with
153	153	a government-issued identification that contains the person's
154	154	photograph; or
155	155	(3) United States citizenship papers issued to the
156	156	person, presented with a government-issued identification that
157	157	contains the person's photograph.
158	158	(d) An applicant may mail a certified copy of a document
159	159	described by Subsection (c)(2) or (3) with a copy of the person's
160	160	government-issued photo identification to the registrar.
161	161	(e) If an applicant does not provide proof of citizenship as
162	162	required, the registrar shall cancel the registration and notify
163	163	the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall keep a list of
164	164	applicants of whom the secretary receives notice under this
165	165	section.
166	166	(f) The secretary of state shall adopt rules and prescribe
167	167	procedures to implement this section.
168	168	SECTION 6. Section 15.021, Election Code, is amended by
169	169	adding Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:
170	170	(d-1) If the registrar receives a notification from the
171	171	Department of Public Safety under Section 521.054(e),
172	172	Transportation Code, that a voter registered in the registrar's
173	173	county has changed the voter's address, the registrar shall
174	174	consider the notification a notice submitted under Subsection (a).
175	175	SECTION 7. Section 15.082(b), Election Code, is amended to
176	176	read as follows:
177	177	(b) The registrar may not charge a fee for a [each] list or
178	178	portion of a list furnished under this section [may not exceed the
179	179	actual expense incurred in reproducing the list or portion for the
180	180	person requesting it and shall be uniform for each type of copy
181	181	furnished. The registrar shall make reasonable efforts to minimize
182	182	the reproduction expenses].
183	183	SECTION 8. Section 15.084(b), Election Code, is amended to
184	184	read as follows:
185	185	(b) The secretary of state may not charge a fee for a [each]
186	186	list or portion of a list furnished under this section [may not
187	187	exceed the actual expense incurred in reproducing the list or
188	188	portion for the person requesting it and shall be uniform for each
189	189	type of copy furnished].
190	190	SECTION 9. Subchapter A, Chapter 16, Election Code, is
191	191	amended by adding Section 16.0035 to read as follows:
192	192	Sec. 16.0035. TAX RECORD AUDIT. (a) Once per year, the
193	193	county tax assessor-collector shall audit the county's tax records
194	194	to determine if the records indicate that a person 18 years or older
195	195	who has resided in the county in the previous year has died, is no
196	196	longer a resident of the county, is not a citizen of the United
197	197	States, or is otherwise ineligible to vote.
198	198	(b) The tax assessor-collector shall forward the records
199	199	described by Subsection (a) to the registrar for cancellation
200	200	following investigation under Section 16.033.
201	201	SECTION 10. Section 16.033(b), Election Code, is amended to
202	202	read as follows:
203	203	(b) If the registrar receives a record under Section 16.0035
204	204	or otherwise has reason to believe that a voter is no longer
205	205	eligible for registration, the registrar shall deliver written
206	206	notice to the voter indicating that the voter's registration status
207	207	is being investigated by the registrar. The notice shall be
208	208	delivered by forwardable mail to the mailing address on the voter's
209	209	registration application and to any new address of the voter known
210	210	to the registrar. If the secretary of state has adopted or
211	211	recommended a form for a written notice under this section, the
212	212	registrar must use that form.
213	213	SECTION 11. Section 16.0332(a), Election Code, is amended
214	214	to read as follows:
215	215	(a) After the registrar receives a list under Section 18.068
216	216	of this code or Section 62.113, Government Code, of persons excused
217	217	or disqualified from jury service or otherwise determined to be
218	218	ineligible to vote because of citizenship status, the registrar
219	219	shall deliver to each registered voter whose name appears on the
220	220	list a written notice requiring the voter to submit to the registrar
221	221	proof of United States citizenship in the form of a certified copy
222	222	of the voter's birth certificate, United States passport, or
223	223	certificate of naturalization or any other form prescribed by the
224	224	secretary of state. The notice shall be delivered by forwardable
225	225	mail to the mailing address on the voter's registration application
226	226	and to any new address of the voter known to the registrar.
227	227	SECTION 12. Section 18.005, Election Code, is amended by
228	228	amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
229	229	follows:
230	230	(a) Each original and supplemental list of registered
231	231	voters must:
232	232	(1) contain the voter's name, date of birth, and
233	233	registration number as provided by the statewide computerized voter
234	234	registration list;
235	235	(2) contain the voter's residence address, except as
236	236	provided by Subsections (b) and (c) or Section 18.0051;
237	237	(3) be arranged alphabetically by voter name; [and]
238	238	(4) contain the notation required by Section 15.111;
239	239	and
240	240	(5) contain the voter's photograph if provided to the
241	241	registrar under an agreement made under Subsection (d).
242	242	(d) A voter registrar shall enter into an agreement with the
243	243	Department of Public Safety under which a photograph in the
244	244	database of the Department of Public Safety is provided to the
245	245	registrar if the photograph is of a registered voter in the county.
246	246	SECTION 13. Section 18.061(b), Election Code, is amended to
247	247	read as follows:
248	248	(b) The statewide computerized voter registration list
249	249	must:
250	250	(1) contain the name and registration information of
251	251	each voter registered in the state;
252	252	(2) assign a unique identifier to each registered
253	253	voter; [and]
254	254	(3) be available to any election official in the state
255	255	through immediate electronic access; and
256	256	(4) be designed to integrate and interact easily with
257	257	other state computerized databases.
258	258	SECTION 14. Section 18.068, Election Code, is amended by
259	259	amending Subsections (a), (b), (c), (e), and (f) and adding
260	260	Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows:
261	261	(a) The secretary of state shall monthly [quarterly]
262	262	compare the information received under Subchapter A, Chapter 16,
263	263	[Section 16.001] of this code and Sections [Section] 62.113 and
264	264	62.114, Government Code, to the statewide computerized voter
265	265	registration list.
266	266	(a-1) The secretary of state shall enter into an agreement
267	267	with the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of
268	268	Criminal Justice, the vital statistics unit of the Department of
269	269	State Health Services, and the Health and Human Services Commission
270	270	under which information in any database maintained by the
271	271	department, unit, or commission is provided to the secretary of
272	272	state if the information concerns a person who is at least 18 years
273	273	of age and:
274	274	(1) has indicated in connection with a service sought
275	275	by or provided to the person by the department, unit, or commission
276	276	that the person is not a citizen, has changed residence addresses,
277	277	or is otherwise ineligible to vote under Section 13.001; or
278	278	(2) for whom the department, unit, or commission has
279	279	received information indicating the person is deceased.
280	280	(a-2) If the secretary of state determines from information
281	281	received under Subsection (a) or (a-1) that a voter on the
282	282	registration list may be ineligible to vote [is deceased or has been
283	283	excused or disqualified from jury service because the voter is not a
284	284	citizen], the secretary shall send notice of the determination to
285	285	the attorney general and the voter registrar of the counties
286	286	considered appropriate by the secretary.
287	287	(b) The secretary of state shall by rule determine what
288	288	information combinations identified as common to a voter and to an
289	289	individual who is deceased or ineligible to vote constitute a weak
290	290	match or a strong match in order to:
291	291	(1) produce the least possible impact on Texas voters;
292	292	and
293	293	(2) fulfill its responsibility to manage the voter
294	294	rolls.
295	295	(c) The secretary of state may not determine that a voter is
296	296	deceased or ineligible to vote based on a weak match. The secretary
297	297	of state may inform the county of the voter's residence that a weak
298	298	match exists.
299	299	(e) The secretary of state may determine that a voter is
300	300	deceased or ineligible to vote based on a strong match.
301	301	(f) The secretary of state may obtain, for purposes of
302	302	determining whether a voter is deceased or ineligible to vote,
303	303	information from [other state agency] databases maintained by state
304	304	agencies not listed in Subsection (a-1) relating to a voter that is
305	305	the same type of information that the secretary of state or a voter
306	306	registrar collects or stores for voter registration purposes.
307	307	SECTION 15. Section 20.032, Election Code, is amended by
308	308	amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
309	309	follows:
310	310	(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), an [An]
311	311	appropriate agency employee shall routinely inform each person who
312	312	applies in person for agency services of the opportunity to
313	313	complete a voter registration application form and on request shall
314	314	provide nonpartisan voter registration assistance to the
315	315	applicant.
316	316	(a-1) An employee of a voter registration agency may not
317	317	offer voter registration assistance under this chapter if a person
318	318	applies for agency services using identification issued by a
319	319	foreign country.
320	320	SECTION 16. Section 20.063, Election Code, is amended by
321	321	adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
322	322	(e) A person who submits a voter registration application to
323	323	the department in person shall at the time of submission present as
324	324	proof of citizenship:
325	325	(1) an unexpired passport issued to the person;
326	326	(2) a certified copy of a birth certificate or other
327	327	document confirming the person's birth that is admissible in a
328	328	court of law and establishes the person's identity; or
329	329	(3) United States citizenship papers issued to the
330	330	person.
331	331	SECTION 17. Sections 31.014(a) and (c), Election Code, are
332	332	amended to read as follows:
333	333	(a) The secretary of state shall prescribe specific
334	334	requirements and standards, consistent with this code, for the
335	335	certification of an electronic device used to accept voters under
336	336	Chapter 63 that require the device to:
337	337	(1) produce an electronic copy of the list of voters
338	338	who were accepted to vote for delivery to the election judge after
339	339	the polls close;
340	340	(2) display the voter's original signature in
341	341	accordance with Section 63.002;
342	342	(3) accept a voter for voting even when the device is
343	343	off-line;
344	344	(4) provide the full list of voters registered in the
345	345	county with an indication of the jurisdictional or distinguishing
346	346	number for each territorial unit in which each voter resides;
347	347	(5) time-stamp when each voter is accepted at a
348	348	polling place, including the voter's unique identifier;
349	349	(6) if the county [participates in the countywide
350	350	polling place program under Section 43.007 or] has more than one
351	351	early voting polling place, transmit a time stamp when each voter is
352	352	accepted, including the voter's unique identifier, to all polling
353	353	place locations;
354	354	(7) time-stamp the receipt of a transmission under
355	355	Subdivision (6); and
356	356	(8) produce in an electronic format compatible with
357	357	the statewide voter registration list under Section 18.061 data for
358	358	retention and transfer that includes:
359	359	(A) the polling location in which the device was
360	360	used;
361	361	(B) the dated time stamp under Subdivision (5);
362	362	and
363	363	(C) the dated time stamp under Subdivision (7).
364	364	(c) The secretary of state shall adopt rules that require a
365	365	device described by this section used during the early voting
366	366	period [or under the countywide polling place program under Section
367	367	43.007] to update data in real time. If a county uses a device that
368	368	does not comply with the rule in two consecutive general elections
369	369	for state and county officers, the secretary of state shall assess a
370	370	noncompliance fee. The noncompliance fee shall be set at an amount
371	371	determined by secretary of state rule.
372	372	SECTION 18. Section 32.002(c-1), Election Code, is amended
373	373	to read as follows:
374	374	(c-1) For purposes of this subsection, the county chair
375	375	shall provide a list of names of persons eligible for appointment as
376	376	election judges. [Judges of countywide polling places established
377	377	under Section 43.007 must be appointed from the list of names of
378	378	persons submitted by the county chair in compliance with Subsection
379	379	(c) except that in appointing a person from the list the
380	380	commissioners court shall apportion the number of judges in direct
381	381	proportion to the percentage of precincts located in each county
382	382	commissioners precinct won by each party in the last gubernatorial
383	383	election, the commissioners court is not required to make the
384	384	appointments based on specific polling locations or precincts, a
385	385	presiding judge or alternate presiding judge is not required to
386	386	serve in a polling place located in the precinct in which the judge
387	387	resides, and more than one presiding judge or alternate presiding
388	388	judge may be selected from the same precinct to serve in polling
389	389	places not located in the precinct in which the judges reside. The
390	390	county chairs may submit, and the commissioners court may
391	391	preapprove, the appointment of more presiding judges or alternate
392	392	presiding judges than necessary to fill available positions. The
393	393	county clerk may select an individual whose appointment was
394	394	preapproved by the commissioners court to fill a vacancy in a
395	395	position that was held by an individual from the same political
396	396	party. Other than a judge's party affiliation, nothing in this
397	397	subsection precludes a county clerk from placing an election
398	398	officer at a countywide polling place based on the need for services
399	399	at that location.]
400	400	SECTION 19. Section 32.0511(d), Election Code, is amended
401	401	to read as follows:
402	402	(d) Not more than two student election clerks may serve at a
403	403	polling place[, except that not more than four student election
404	404	clerks may serve at any countywide polling place].
405	405	SECTION 20. Section 33.006(b), Election Code, is amended to
406	406	read as follows:
407	407	(b) A certificate of appointment must:
408	408	(1) be in writing and signed by the appointing
409	409	authority or, for an appointment for a write-in candidate under
410	410	Section 33.004, by each of the voters making the appointment;
411	411	(2) indicate the capacity in which the appointing
412	412	authority is acting;
413	413	(3) state the name, residence address, and voter
414	414	registration number of the appointee and be signed by the
415	415	appointee;
416	416	(4) identify the election and the precinct polling
417	417	place or other location at which the appointee is to serve; and
418	418	(5) in an election on a measure, identify the measure
419	419	if more than one is to be voted on and state which side of the
420	420	measure the appointee represents[; and
421	421	[(6) contain an affidavit executed by the appointee
422	422	stating that the appointee will not have possession of a device
423	423	capable of recording images or sound or that the appointee will
424	424	disable or deactivate the device while serving as a watcher].
425	425	SECTION 21. Section 33.031, Election Code, is amended to
426	426	read as follows:
427	427	Sec. 33.031. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. [(a)] To
428	428	be eligible to serve as a watcher, a person must be a qualified
429	429	voter [:
430	430	[(1) of the county in which the person is to serve, in
431	431	an election ordered by the governor or a county authority or in a
432	432	primary election;
433	433	[(2) of the part of the county in which the election is
434	434	held, in an election ordered by the governor or a county authority
435	435	that does not cover the entire county of the person's residence; and
436	436	[(3) of the political subdivision, in an election
437	437	ordered by an authority of a political subdivision other than a
438	438	county].
439	439	SECTION 22. Section 33.051(c), Election Code, is amended to
440	440	read as follows:
441	441	(c) [A watcher may not be accepted for service if the
442	442	watcher has possession of a device capable of recording images or
443	443	sound unless the watcher agrees to disable or deactivate the
444	444	device.] The presiding judge may inquire whether a watcher has
445	445	possession of a [any prohibited] recording device before accepting
446	446	the watcher for service.
447	447	SECTION 23. Section 33.056, Election Code, is amended by
448	448	amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as
449	449	follows:
450	450	(a) Except as provided by Section 33.057, a watcher is
451	451	entitled to observe any activity conducted at the location at which
452	452	the watcher is serving. A watcher is entitled to sit or stand
453	453	[conveniently] near enough to see and hear the election officers
454	454	conducting the observed activity, except as otherwise prohibited by
455	455	this chapter.
456	456	(e) Except as provided by Section 33.057(b), a watcher may
457	457	not be denied free movement within the location at which the watcher
458	458	is serving.
459	459	SECTION 24. Section 33.061, Election Code, is amended by
460	460	adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
461	461	(c) An offense under Subsection (a) includes an action taken
462	462	to distance or obstruct the view of a watcher in a way that makes
463	463	observation reasonably ineffective.
464	464	(d) A person who has committed an offense under this section
465	465	may also be:
466	466	(1) suspended or terminated;
467	467	(2) liable to the state for a civil penalty not to
468	468	exceed $4,000 for each violation; or
469	469	(3) any combination of these.
470	470	SECTION 25. Section 43.001, Election Code, is amended to
471	471	read as follows:
472	472	Sec. 43.001. AT LEAST ONE POLLING PLACE IN EACH PRECINCT.
473	473	Each election precinct established for an election shall be served
474	474	by at least one [a single] polling place located within the boundary
475	475	of the precinct.
476	476	SECTION 26. Section 43.031, Election Code, is amended by
477	477	adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
478	478	(b-1) A polling place may not be located in:
479	479	(1) a tent or other temporary or movable structure; or
480	480	(2) a parking garage, parking lot, or similar facility
481	481	primarily designed for motor vehicles.
482	482	SECTION 27. Section 51.005(a), Election Code, is amended to
483	483	read as follows:
484	484	(a) The authority responsible for procuring the election
485	485	supplies for an election shall provide for each election precinct a
486	486	number of ballots equal to [at least the percentage of voters who
487	487	voted in that precinct in the most recent corresponding election
488	488	plus 25 percent of that number, except that the number of ballots
489	489	provided may not exceed] the total number of registered voters in
490	490	the precinct.
491	491	SECTION 28. Subchapter C, Chapter 52, Election Code, is
492	492	amended by adding Section 52.076 to read as follows:
493	493	Sec. 52.076. IDENTIFYING CODE OR MICROCHIP FOR MAIL-IN
494	494	BALLOTS. (a) Each early voting ballot voted by mail must include a
495	495	unique barcode or microchip used to ensure that the ballot is only
496	496	counted once.
497	497	(b) No record associating an individual voter with a barcode
498	498	or microchip assigned to a ballot under this section may be created.
499	499	(c) The secretary of state by rule shall provide for the
500	500	design and distribution of a unique barcode or microchip system in a
501	501	manner that, to the greatest extent possible, prevents the
502	502	unauthorized reproduction or misuse of mail ballots.
503	503	SECTION 29. Section 61.001, Election Code, is amended by
504	504	adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
505	505	(e) As necessary at any time, the presiding judge or a
506	506	watcher may request that a trained peace officer enter the polling
507	507	place to enforce a law or prevent a violation under this code.
508	508	SECTION 30. Section 61.002, Election Code, is amended to
509	509	read as follows:
510	510	Sec. 61.002. OPENING POLLING PLACE FOR VOTING. (a) Before
511	511	opening the polls for voting, the presiding election judge shall
512	512	confirm that each voting machine has any public counter reset to
513	513	zero and shall print the tape that shows the counter was set to
514	514	zero.
515	515	(b) Each election judge present shall sign a tape printed
516	516	under Subsection (a). Any watcher present may sign a tape printed
517	517	under Subsection (a).
518	518	(c) At the official time for opening the polls for voting,
519	519	an election officer shall open the polling place entrance and admit
520	520	the voters.
521	521	SECTION 31. Section 61.014, Election Code, is amended by
522	522	amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
523	523	read as follows:
524	524	(a) A person, other than a watcher using the device solely
525	525	to record image or sound as permitted under Subsection (b), may not
526	526	use a wireless communication device within 100 feet of a voting
527	527	station.
528	528	(b) A person, other than a watcher, may not use a [any]
529	529	mechanical or electronic device to record [means of recording]
530	530	images or sound that captures the activity [within 100 feet] of a
531	531	voter at a voting station, unless the voter is receiving assistance
532	532	the watcher reasonably believes to be unlawful.
533	533	(b-1) A recording made by a watcher under Subsection (b) may
534	534	not capture or record any information on a voter's ballot.
535	535	SECTION 32. Subchapter A, Chapter 61, Election Code, is
536	536	amended by adding Section 61.0141 to read as follows:
537	537	Sec. 61.0141. EXCEPTION REPORT FOR REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE.
538	538	A person performing requested repairs or maintenance of equipment
539	539	at a polling place during voting in accordance with this title may,
540	540	as necessary, enter the polling place with an electronic device
541	541	capable of being connected to the Internet. After performing the
542	542	requested repairs or maintenance, the person shall, not later than
543	543	the third business day after the date the person entered the polling
544	544	place, file an exception report with the secretary of state in a
545	545	form adopted by the secretary for that purpose.
546	546	SECTION 33. Chapter 62, Election Code, is amended by adding
547	547	Section 62.017 to read as follows:
548	548	Sec. 62.017. VIDEO RECORDING. Video cameras must be posted
549	549	at a polling place to enable recording of all activity, other than
550	550	voting, being conducted at a polling place.
551	551	SECTION 34. Sections 63.001(b), (d), and (e), Election
552	552	Code, are amended to read as follows:
553	553	(b) Except as provided by Subsection (h), on offering to
554	554	vote, a voter must present to an election officer at the polling
555	555	place[:
556	556	[(1)] one form of photo identification listed in
557	557	Section 63.0101(a)[; or
558	558	[(2) one form of identification listed in Section
559	559	63.0101(b) accompanied by the declaration described by Subsection
560	560	(i)].
561	561	(d) If, as determined under Subsection (c), the voter's name
562	562	is on the precinct list of registered voters and the voter's
563	563	identity can be verified from the documentation presented under
564	564	Subsection (b), the voter shall be accepted for voting. [An
565	565	election officer may not question the reasonableness of an
566	566	impediment sworn to by a voter in a declaration described by
567	567	Subsection (i).]
568	568	(e) On accepting a voter, an election officer shall indicate
569	569	beside the voter's name on the list of registered voters that the
570	570	voter is accepted for voting. [If the voter executes a declaration
571	571	of reasonable impediment to meet the requirement for identification
572	572	under Subsection (b), the election officer must affix the voter's
573	573	voter registration number to the declaration either in numeric or
574	574	bar code form.]
575	575	SECTION 35. Section 63.003, Election Code, is amended by
576	576	adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
577	577	(e) If the poll list is in the form of an electronic device,
578	578	a paper copy must be kept on site as backup.
579	579	SECTION 36. Section 63.004, Election Code, is amended by
580	580	adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
581	581	(f) If the combination form is in the form of an electronic
582	582	device, a paper copy must be kept on site as backup.
583	583	SECTION 37. Section 63.004(a), Election Code, is amended to
584	584	read as follows:
585	585	(a) The secretary of state may prescribe forms that combine
586	586	the poll list, the signature roster, or any other form used in
587	587	connection with the acceptance of voters at polling places with
588	588	each other or with the list of registered voters. The secretary
589	589	shall prescribe any special instructions necessary for using the
590	590	combination forms. [The combination forms must include space for
591	591	an election officer to indicate whether a voter executed a
592	592	declaration of reasonable impediment under Section 63.001(i).]
593	593	SECTION 38. Section 63.0101(a), Election Code, is amended
594	594	to read as follows:
595	595	(a) The following documentation is an acceptable form of
596	596	photo identification under this chapter:
597	597	(1) a driver's license, election identification
598	598	certificate, or personal identification card issued to the voter
599	599	[person] by the Department of Public Safety that has not expired or
600	600	that expired no earlier than four years before the date of
601	601	presentation;
602	602	(2) a United States military identification card that
603	603	contains the voter's [person's] photograph that has not expired or
604	604	that expired no earlier than four years before the date of
605	605	presentation;
606	606	(3) a United States citizenship certificate issued to
607	607	the voter [person] that contains the voter's [person's] photograph;
608	608	(4) a United States passport book or card issued to the
609	609	voter [person] that has not expired or that expired no earlier than
610	610	four years before the date of presentation; [or]
611	611	(5) a license to carry a handgun issued to the voter
612	612	[person] by the Department of Public Safety that has not expired or
613	613	that expired no earlier than four years before the date of
614	614	presentation;
615	615	(6) an official Native American identification card or
616	616	tribal document that:
617	617	(A) contains the voter's photograph and address;
618	618	and
619	619	(B) is issued by a tribal organization or by a
620	620	tribe that is federally recognized and located in this state; or
621	621	(7) an identification card issued by an institution of
622	622	higher education located in this state that contains the voter's
623	623	photograph and identifies the voter as a citizen of the United
624	624	States.
625	625	SECTION 39. Section 64.012, Election Code, is amended by
626	626	adding Subsections (a-1) and (b-1) and amending Subsection (b) to
627	627	read as follows:
628	628	(a-1) An election officer commits an offense if the officer
629	629	permits a person to vote in an election when the officer knows the
630	630	person is not registered to vote.
631	631	(b) An offense under Subsection (a) [this section] is a
632	632	felony of the second degree unless the person is convicted of an
633	633	attempt. In that case, the offense is a state jail felony.
634	634	(b-1) An offense under Subsection (a-1) is a Class A
635	635	misdemeanor.
636	636	SECTION 40. Subchapter B, Chapter 64, Election Code, is
637	637	amended by adding Section 64.0322 to read as follows:
638	638	Sec. 64.0322. SUBMISSION OF FORM BY ASSISTANT. (a) A
639	639	person, other than an election officer, who assists a voter in
640	640	accordance with this chapter is required to complete a form
641	641	stating:
642	642	(1) the name, telephone number, and address of the
643	643	person assisting the voter;
644	644	(2) the manner in which the person assisted the voter;
645	645	(3) the reason the assistance was necessary; and
646	646	(4) the relationship of the assistant to the voter.
647	647	(b) A person who submits a form under Subsection (a) shall
648	648	present an acceptable photo identification under Section 63.0101.
649	649	(c) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form required
650	650	by this section. The form must be incorporated into the official
651	651	carrier envelope if the voter is voting an early voting ballot by
652	652	mail and receives assistance under Section 86.010, or must be
653	653	submitted to an election officer at the time the voter casts a
654	654	ballot if the voter is voting at a polling place or under Section
655	655	64.009.
656	656	SECTION 41. Sections 65.002(a) and (c), Election Code, are
657	657	amended to read as follows:
658	658	(a) The [Subject to Subsection (b), the] presiding judge may
659	659	not direct the counting of ballots to occur until [at any time]
660	660	after the polls close [have been open for one hour].
661	661	(c) After the polls close or the last voter has voted,
662	662	whichever is later, the counting of ballots shall be conducted
663	663	continuously until all the ballots are counted. The counting may
664	664	not be interrupted except in the case of extreme circumstances, in
665	665	which case election officials must notify the public of the
666	666	suspension and the exact time counting will resume.
667	667	SECTION 42. Section 65.014, Election Code, is amended by
668	668	amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (c-1) and (f) to
669	669	read as follows:
670	670	(c) The returns shall be prepared as an original and three
671	671	copies, and on completing the returns, the presiding judge shall
672	672	sign each one to certify its accuracy. Any watcher present at the
673	673	polling place must be allowed to inspect and sign each copy of the
674	674	returns.
675	675	(c-1) The presiding judge shall publicly post at the polling
676	676	place one of the copies printed under Subsection (c) before the
677	677	presiding judge leaves the premises.
678	678	(f) The presiding judge shall sign an affidavit stating that
679	679	the returns, to the best of the judge's knowledge, represent the
680	680	actual results of the election.
681	681	SECTION 43. Subchapter A, Chapter 65, Election Code, is
682	682	amended by adding Section 65.0155 to read as follows:
683	683	Sec. 65.0155. PUBLIC STREAMING OF ELECTION ACTIVITY. (a)
684	684	The county clerk shall provide cameras and other equipment to each
685	685	polling place, meeting place for an early voting ballot board, or
686	686	central counting station involved in the election, and shall
687	687	provide a live video stream on the county clerk's Internet website
688	688	of any election activity conducted at a polling place, meeting
689	689	place for an early voting ballot board, or central counting
690	690	station.
691	691	(b) The secretary of state shall adopt rules necessary for
692	692	the implementation of this section.
693	693	SECTION 44. Subchapter A, Chapter 65, Election Code, is
694	694	amended by adding Sections 65.016 and 65.017 to read as follows:
695	695	Sec. 65.016. VOTE COUNTING EQUIPMENT. No equipment to
696	696	count votes shall be used that is capable of being connected to the
697	697	Internet or any other computer network.
698	698	Sec. 65.017. EXCEPTION REPORT FOR REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE.
699	699	A person performing requested repairs or maintenance of equipment
700	700	at a polling place in accordance with this title may, as necessary,
701	701	enter the polling place with an electronic device capable of being
702	702	connected to the Internet while vote counting is being conducted.
703	703	After performing the requested repairs or maintenance, the person
704	704	shall, not later than the third business day after the date the
705	705	person entered the polling place, file an exception report with the
706	706	secretary of state in a form adopted by the secretary for that
707	707	purpose.
708	708	SECTION 45. Subchapter B, Chapter 66, Election Code, is
709	709	amended by adding Section 66.027 to read as follows:
710	710	Sec. 66.027. SECRETARY OF STATE TO PROVIDE SECURE
711	711	LOCKBOXES. The secretary of state shall provide a secure lockbox
712	712	suitable for containing each type of election record described
713	713	under this subchapter.
714	714	SECTION 46. Section 66.052, Election Code, is amended to
715	715	read as follows:
716	716	Sec. 66.052. DELIVERY BY ELECTION CLERK; CHAIN OF CUSTODY.
717	717	(a) A delivery of election records or supplies that is to be
718	718	performed by the presiding judge may be performed by an election
719	719	clerk designated by the presiding judge.
720	720	(b) The presiding judge or an election clerk designated by
721	721	the presiding judge under this section must keep records of each
722	722	person that has custody of a precinct election record until the
723	723	records are delivered.
724	724	SECTION 47. Section 67.007, Election Code, is amended by
725	725	amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as
726	726	follows:
727	727	(c) The county clerk shall certify the county returns. The
728	728	early voting ballot board must independently verify the county
729	729	returns before the county clerk can certify the returns under this
730	730	subsection.
731	731	(c-1) The secretary of state may not release election
732	732	results for a district or statewide office until each county clerk
733	733	has completed the clerk's duties under Subsection (c).
734	734	SECTION 48. Section 82.001(a), Election Code, is amended to
735	735	read as follows:
736	736	(a) Subject to Subsection (b), a qualified voter is eligible
737	737	for early voting by mail if the voter is unable [expects] to be
738	738	present in [absent from] the county of the voter's residence on
739	739	election day and during [the regular hours for conducting early
740	740	voting at the main early voting polling place for that part of] the
741	741	period for early voting by personal appearance [remaining after the
742	742	voter's early voting ballot application is submitted to the early
743	743	voting clerk].
744	744	SECTION 49. Section 84.001(b), Election Code, is amended to
745	745	read as follows:
746	746	(b) An application must be in writing and signed by the
747	747	applicant. An electronic signature that is not hand drawn is not
748	748	permitted.
749	749	SECTION 50. Section 84.002, Election Code, is amended by
750	750	amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
751	751	follows:
752	752	(a) An early voting ballot application must include:
753	753	(1) the applicant's name and the address at which the
754	754	applicant is registered to vote;
755	755	(1-a) a copy of one form of photo identification
756	756	listed in Section 63.0101(a);
757	757	(2) for an application for a ballot to be voted by mail
758	758	on the ground of absence from the county of residence, the address
759	759	outside the applicant's county of residence to which the ballot is
760	760	to be mailed;
761	761	(3) for an application for a ballot to be voted by mail
762	762	on the ground of [age or] disability, the address of the hospital,
763	763	nursing home or other long-term care facility, or retirement
764	764	center, or of a person related to the applicant within the second
765	765	degree by affinity or the third degree by consanguinity, as
766	766	determined under Chapter 573, Government Code, if the applicant is
767	767	living at that address and that address is different from the
768	768	address at which the applicant is registered to vote;
769	769	(4) [for an application for a ballot to be voted by
770	770	mail on the ground of confinement in jail, the address of the jail
771	771	or of a person related to the applicant within the degree described
772	772	by Subdivision (3);
773	773	[(5)] for an application for a ballot to be voted by
774	774	mail on any ground, an indication of each election for which the
775	775	applicant is applying for a ballot; and
776	776	(5) [(6)] an indication of the ground of eligibility
777	777	for early voting.
778	778	(c) Section 63.0101(c) applies to documentation provided
779	779	under this section.
780	780	SECTION 51. Section 84.011(a), Election Code, is amended to
781	781	read as follows:
782	782	(a) The officially prescribed application form for an early
783	783	voting ballot must include:
784	784	(1) immediately preceding the signature space the
785	785	statement: "I certify that the information given in this
786	786	application is true, and I understand that giving false information
787	787	in this application is a crime.";
788	788	(2) a statement informing the applicant of the
789	789	offenses prescribed by Sections 84.003 and 84.004;
790	790	(3) spaces for entering an applicant's voter
791	791	registration number and county election precinct of registration,
792	792	with a statement informing the applicant that failure to furnish
793	793	that information does not invalidate the application; and
794	794	(4) on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail:
795	795	(A) a space for an applicant applying on the
796	796	ground of absence from the county of residence to indicate the date
797	797	on or after which the applicant can receive mail at the address
798	798	outside the county;
799	799	(B) a space for indicating the fact that an
800	800	applicant whose application is signed by a witness cannot make the
801	801	applicant's mark and a space for indicating the relationship or
802	802	lack of relationship of the witness to the applicant;
803	803	(C) a space for entering an applicant's telephone
804	804	number, with a statement informing the applicant that failure to
805	805	furnish that information does not invalidate the application;
806	806	(D) a space or box for an applicant applying on
807	807	the ground of [age or] disability to indicate that the address to
808	808	which the ballot is to be mailed is the address of a facility or
809	809	relative described by Section 84.002(a)(3), if applicable;
810	810	(E) [a space or box for an applicant applying on
811	811	the ground of confinement in jail to indicate that the address to
812	812	which the ballot is to be mailed is the address of a relative
813	813	described by Section 84.002(a)(4), if applicable;
814	814	[(F)] a space for an applicant applying on the
815	815	ground of [age or] disability to indicate if the application is an
816	816	application under Section 86.0015;
817	817	(F) [(G)] spaces for entering the signature,
818	818	printed name, and residence address of any person assisting the
819	819	applicant;
820	820	(G) [(H)] a statement informing the applicant of
821	821	the condition prescribed by Section 81.005; [and]
822	822	(H) [(I)] a statement informing the applicant of
823	823	the requirement prescribed by Section 86.003(c); and
824	824	(I) a statement informing the applicant of the
825	825	requirement that the applicant include a photograph or copy of
826	826	identification described by Section 84.002(a)(1-a).
827	827	SECTION 52. Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is
828	828	amended by adding Section 84.0111 to read as follows:
829	829	Sec. 84.0111. PROHIBITION ON DISTRIBUTION OF OFFICIAL
830	830	APPLICATION FORM. Unless otherwise authorized by this code, an
831	831	officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of
832	832	this state may not distribute an official application form for an
833	833	early voting ballot to a person unless the person requested the form
834	834	for the person's own use.
835	835	SECTION 53. Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is
836	836	amended by adding Section 84.015 to read as follows:
837	837	Sec. 84.015. BIPARTISAN TEAMS FOR ASSISTANCE OF CERTAIN
838	838	INDIVIDUALS. Notwithstanding any other law, each early voting
839	839	clerk shall create a bipartisan team to assist any individual
840	840	confined to a nursing home, hospital, or similar facility during
841	841	the early voting period and on election day with submitting an
842	842	application to vote by mail and with submitting a ballot voted by
843	843	mail.
844	844	SECTION 54. Sections 84.032(b) and (c), Election Code, are
845	845	amended to read as follows:
846	846	(b) A request must:
847	847	(1) be in writing and signed by the applicant;
848	848	(2) specify the election for which the application was
849	849	made; [and]
850	850	(3) return the ballot to be voted by mail as provided
851	851	by this section; and
852	852	(4) except as provided by Subsection (c) or [,] (d),
853	853	[or (e),] be received by the early voting clerk[:
854	854	[(A)] not later than the third day before election
855	855	day[; and
856	856	[(B) if an early voting ballot sent to the
857	857	applicant is returned to the clerk as a marked ballot, before the
858	858	marked ballot's arrival at the address on the carrier envelope].
859	859	(c) An applicant may submit a request after the close of
860	860	early voting by personal appearance by appearing in person and[:
861	861	[(1)] returning the ballot to be voted by mail to the
862	862	early voting clerk[; or
863	863	[(2) executing an affidavit that the applicant:
864	864	[(A) has not received the ballot to be voted by
865	865	mail; or
866	866	[(B) never requested a ballot to be voted by
867	867	mail].
868	868	SECTION 55. Section 84.038, Election Code, is amended to
869	869	read as follows:
870	870	Sec. 84.038. CANCELLATION EFFECTIVE FOR SINGLE ELECTION.
871	871	The cancellation of an application for a ballot to be voted by mail
872	872	under Section 84.032(c) or [,] (d)[, or (e)] is effective for a
873	873	single ballot only and does not cancel the application with respect
874	874	to a subsequent election, including a subsequent election to which
875	875	the same application applies under Section 84.001(e) or 86.0015(b).
876	876	SECTION 56. Sections 85.001(a) and (e), Election Code, are
877	877	amended to read as follows:
878	878	(a) The period for early voting by personal appearance
879	879	begins on the 17th day before election day and continues through the
880	880	[fourth] day before election day, except as otherwise provided by
881	881	this section.
882	882	(e) For an election held on the uniform election date in May
883	883	and any resulting runoff election, the period for early voting by
884	884	personal appearance begins on the 12th day before election day and
885	885	continues through the [fourth] day before election day.
886	886	SECTION 57. Sections 85.005(a) and (b), Election Code, are
887	887	amended to read as follows:
888	888	(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), in an election in
889	889	which a county clerk or city secretary is the early voting clerk
890	890	under Section 83.002 or 83.005, early voting by personal appearance
891	891	at the main early voting polling place shall be conducted on the
892	892	weekdays of the early voting period and during the hours that the
893	893	county clerk's or city secretary's main business office is
894	894	regularly open for business, except that voting may not be
895	895	conducted earlier than 7 a.m. or later than 7 p.m.[.]
896	896	(b) In an election to which Subsection (a) does not apply,
897	897	early voting by personal appearance at the main early voting
898	898	polling place shall be conducted at least eight hours each weekday
899	899	of the early voting period that is not a legal state holiday unless
900	900	the territory covered by the election has fewer than 1,000
901	901	registered voters. In that case, the voting shall be conducted at
902	902	least three hours each day. The authority ordering the election, or
903	903	the county clerk if that person is the early voting clerk, shall
904	904	determine which hours the voting is to be conducted except that
905	905	voting may not be conducted earlier than 7 a.m. or later than 7
906	906	p.m.[.]
907	907	SECTION 58. Section 85.006(c), Election Code, is amended to
908	908	read as follows:
909	909	(c) The authority ordering voting on a Saturday or Sunday
910	910	shall determine the hours during which voting is to be conducted
911	911	except that voting may not be conducted earlier than 7 a.m. or later
912	912	than 7 p.m.[.]
913	913	SECTION 59. Section 85.010(c), Election Code, is amended to
914	914	read as follows:
915	915	(c) A shared polling place established under Subsection (b)
916	916	that is designated as a main early voting polling place by any
917	917	political subdivision:
918	918	(1) must be open for voting for all political
919	919	subdivisions the polling place serves for at least the days and
920	920	hours required of a main early voting polling place under Section
921	921	85.002 for the political subdivision making the designation; and
922	922	(2) may not be open for voting earlier than 7 a.m. or
923	923	later than 7 p.m.[.]
924	924	SECTION 60. Section 85.033, Election Code, is amended to
925	925	read as follows:
926	926	Sec. 85.033. SECURITY OF VOTING MACHINE. (a) At the close
927	927	of early voting each day, the early voting clerk shall secure each
928	928	voting machine used for early voting in the manner prescribed by the
929	929	secretary of state so that its unauthorized operation is prevented.
930	930	The clerk shall unsecure the machine before the beginning of early
931	931	voting the following day.
932	932	(b) A voting machine used for early voting may not be
933	933	removed from the polling place until the polls close on election
934	934	day.
935	935	SECTION 61. Section 85.064, Election Code, is amended by
936	936	adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
937	937	(c) Early voting by personal appearance at a temporary
938	938	branch polling place may not be conducted earlier than 7 a.m. or
939	939	later than 7 p.m.
940	940	SECTION 62. Section 86.001, Election Code, is amended by
941	941	adding Subsections (f), (h), (i), and (j) to read as follows:
942	942	(f) If the application does not include a copy of one form of
943	943	photo identification listed in Section 63.0101(a), the clerk shall
944	944	reject the application.
945	945	(h) The clerk may not mail or otherwise provide an early
946	946	voting ballot to a person who did not submit an application for a
947	947	ballot to be voted by mail.
948	948	(i) The clerk shall reject an application for a ballot to be
949	949	voted by mail if the clerk determines that the signature on the
950	950	application was executed by a person other than the voter, unless
951	951	the application was signed by a witness. In making the
952	952	determination, the clerk may compare the signature with any two or
953	953	more signatures of the voter made within the preceding six years and
954	954	on file with the county clerk or voter registrar.
955	955	(j) Before the clerk mails or provides a ballot to an
956	956	applicant, the clerk shall identify the unique barcode included on
957	957	the carrier envelope and make a record indicating that a carrier
958	958	envelope with the unique barcode was issued.
959	959	SECTION 63. Section 86.0015(a), Election Code, is amended
960	960	to read as follows:
961	961	(a) This section applies only to an application for a ballot
962	962	to be voted by mail that:
963	963	(1) indicates the ground of eligibility is [age or]
964	964	disability; and
965	965	(2) does not specify the election for which a ballot is
966	966	requested or has been marked by the applicant as an application for
967	967	more than one election.
968	968	SECTION 64. Section 86.003(c), Election Code, is amended to
969	969	read as follows:
970	970	(c) The address to which the balloting materials must be
971	971	addressed is the address at which the voter is registered to vote,
972	972	or the registered mailing address if different, unless the ground
973	973	for voting by mail is:
974	974	(1) absence from the county of residence, in which
975	975	case the address must be an address outside the voter's county of
976	976	residence; or
977	977	(2) [confinement in jail, in which case the address
978	978	must be the address of the jail or of a relative described by
979	979	Section 84.002(a)(4); or
980	980	[(3) age or] disability and the voter is living at a
981	981	hospital, nursing home or other long-term care facility, or
982	982	retirement center, or with a relative described by Section
983	983	84.002(a)(3), in which case the address must be the address of that
984	984	facility or relative.
985	985	SECTION 65. Chapter 86, Election Code, is amended by adding
986	986	Section 86.0053 to read as follows:
987	987	Sec. 86.0053. WITNESS REQUIRED FOR BALLOTS VOTED BY MAIL.
988	988	(a) A ballot voted by mail in accordance with this chapter is not
989	989	valid unless:
990	990	(1) the voter signs the carrier envelope in the
991	991	presence of a witness or a notary public; and
992	992	(2) the witness or notary public signs the carrier
993	993	envelope.
994	994	(b) A person who serves as a witness must provide the
995	995	person's name, address, and telephone number on the carrier
996	996	envelope.
997	997	(c) A person may not serve as a witness for more than:
998	998	(1) one voter under this section who is not related to
999	999	the person within the second degree by affinity or third degree by
1000	1000	consanguinity, as determined under Subchapter B, Chapter 573,
1001	1001	Government Code; or
1002	1002	(2) five voters under this section who are related to
1003	1003	the person within the second degree by affinity or third degree by
1004	1004	consanguinity, as determined under Subchapter B, Chapter 573,
1005	1005	Government Code.
1006	1006	(d) The secretary of state shall adopt rules and prescribe
1007	1007	procedures as necessary to implement this section.
1008	1008	SECTION 66. Section 86.006(a-1), Election Code, is amended
1009	1009	to read as follows:
1010	1010	(a-1) The voter may deliver a marked ballot in person to the
1011	1011	early voting clerk's office only while the polls are open on
1012	1012	election day. A voter who delivers a marked ballot in person must
1013	1013	present an acceptable form of identification described by Section
1014	1014	63.0101. The ballot drop-off location at the early voting clerk's
1015	1015	office must be located in a secure setting and under 24-hour
1016	1016	security and video surveillance.
1017	1017	SECTION 67. Chapter 86, Election Code, is amended by adding
1018	1018	Section 86.0061 to read as follows:
1019	1019	Sec. 86.0061. PROHIBITION ON VOTE HARVESTING OF MAIL IN
1020	1020	BALLOTS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly
1021	1021	collects or possesses a ballot voted by mail or official carrier
1022	1022	envelope from a voter for the purpose of delivering votes for a
1023	1023	specific candidate or measure.
1024	1024	(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third
1025	1025	degree punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of
1026	1026	Criminal Justice for a term not to exceed five years, a fine not to
1027	1027	exceed $5,000, or both the imprisonment and the fine.
1028	1028	SECTION 68. Sections 86.007(a), (d), and (e), Election
1029	1029	Code, are amended to read as follows:
1030	1030	(a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a marked ballot
1031	1031	voted by mail must arrive at the address on the carrier envelope[:
1032	1032	[(1)] before the time the polls are required to close
1033	1033	on election day[; or
1034	1034	[(2) not later than 5 p.m. on the day after election
1035	1035	day, if the carrier envelope was placed for delivery by mail or
1036	1036	common or contract carrier before election day and bears a
1037	1037	cancellation mark of a common or contract carrier or a courier
1038	1038	indicating a time not later than 7 p.m. at the location of the
1039	1039	election on election day].
1040	1040	(d) A marked ballot voted by mail that arrives after the
1041	1041	time prescribed by Subsection (a) shall be counted if:
1042	1042	(1) the ballot was cast from an address outside the
1043	1043	United States;
1044	1044	(2) the carrier envelope was placed for delivery
1045	1045	before the time the ballot is required to arrive under Subsection
1046	1046	(a) [(a)(1)]; and
1047	1047	(3) the ballot arrives at the address on the carrier
1048	1048	envelope not later than the fifth day after the date of the
1049	1049	election.
1050	1050	(e) A delivery under Subsection [(a)(2) or] (d) is timely,
1051	1051	except as otherwise provided by this title, if the carrier envelope
1052	1052	or, if applicable, the envelope containing the carrier envelope:
1053	1053	(1) is properly addressed with postage or handling
1054	1054	charges prepaid; and
1055	1055	(2) bears a cancellation mark of a recognized postal
1056	1056	service or a receipt mark of a common or contract carrier or a
1057	1057	courier indicating a time before the deadline.
1058	1058	SECTION 69. Section 86.011, Election Code, is amended by
1059	1059	amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
1060	1060	read as follows:
1061	1061	(a-1) The early voting clerk shall scan the unique barcode
1062	1062	on the official carrier envelope, make a record of the barcode, and
1063	1063	determine whether the unique barcode matches the barcode of an
1064	1064	official carrier envelope recorded under Section 86.001(j). The
1065	1065	clerk shall reject a carrier envelope with a barcode that:
1066	1066	(1) does not match the barcode of an official carrier
1067	1067	envelope recorded under Section 86.001(j); or
1068	1068	(2) matches a barcode of an official carrier envelope
1069	1069	that has already been received by the early voting clerk.
1070	1070	(b) If the return is timely and the carrier envelope is not
1071	1071	rejected under Subsection (a-1), the clerk shall enclose the
1072	1072	carrier envelope and the voter's early voting ballot application in
1073	1073	a jacket envelope. The clerk shall also include in the jacket
1074	1074	envelope:
1075	1075	(1) a copy of the voter's federal postcard application
1076	1076	if the ballot is voted under Chapter 101; and
1077	1077	(2) the signature cover sheet, if the ballot is voted
1078	1078	under Chapter 105.
1079	1079	(c) If the return is not timely or the carrier envelope is
1080	1080	rejected under Subsection (a-1), the clerk shall enter the time of
1081	1081	receipt on the carrier envelope and retain it for the period for
1082	1082	preserving the precinct election records. The clerk shall destroy
1083	1083	the unopened envelope and its contents after the preservation
1084	1084	period.
1085	1085	SECTION 70. Section 86.013, Election Code, is amended by
1086	1086	amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (h) to read as
1087	1087	follows:
1088	1088	(b) Spaces must appear on the reverse side of the official
1089	1089	carrier envelope for:
1090	1090	(1) indicating the identity and date of the election;
1091	1091	[and]
1092	1092	(2) entering the signature, printed name, and
1093	1093	residence address of a person other than the voter who deposits the
1094	1094	carrier envelope in the mail or with a common or contract carrier;
1095	1095	(3) entering the signature, printed name, residence
1096	1096	address, and telephone number of the person who witnesses the voter
1097	1097	sign the carrier envelope under Section 86.0053; and
1098	1098	(4) placing the signature and seal of a notary public
1099	1099	who witnesses the voter sign the carrier envelope under Section
1100	1100	86.0053.
1101	1101	(h) Each official carrier envelope must include a unique
1102	1102	barcode that may be identified and recorded by the early voting
1103	1103	clerk under Sections 86.001(j) and 86.011(a-1).
1104	1104	SECTION 71. Chapter 86, Election Code, is amended by adding
1105	1105	Section 86.015 to read as follows:
1106	1106	Sec. 86.015. STATE ELECTION DATABASE. (a) The secretary of
1107	1107	state shall maintain a state election database that is available to
1108	1108	the public for review.
1109	1109	(b) Not later than 24 hours after the early voting clerk
1110	1110	receives an application to vote by mail, places an official ballot
1111	1111	in the mail, or receives a marked ballot voted by mail, the clerk
1112	1112	shall upload the following information to the state election
1113	1113	database:
1114	1114	(1) the name of the person who:
1115	1115	(A) provided an application to vote by mail;
1116	1116	(B) received an official ballot to be voted by
1117	1117	mail; or
1118	1118	(C) returned an official ballot voted by mail;
1119	1119	and
1120	1120	(2) the time and date that:
1121	1121	(A) the application was received;
1122	1122	(B) the official ballot was placed in the mail;
1123	1123	or
1124	1124	(C) the marked ballot voted by mail was received.
1125	1125	(c) The secretary of state shall adopt rules and prescribe
1126	1126	procedures as necessary to implement this section.
1127	1127	SECTION 72. Section 87.0241(b), Election Code, is amended
1128	1128	to read as follows:
1129	1129	(b) The board may not count early voting ballots until[:
1130	1130	[(1)] the polls close [open] on election day[; or
1131	1131	[(2) in an election conducted by an authority of a
1132	1132	county with a population of 100,000 or more or conducted jointly
1133	1133	with such a county, the end of the period for early voting by
1134	1134	personal appearance].
1135	1135	SECTION 73. Section 87.027, Election Code, is amended by
1136	1136	amending Subsection (i) and adding Subsection (i-1) to read as
1137	1137	follows:
1138	1138	(i) The signature verification committee shall compare the
1139	1139	signature on each carrier envelope certificate, except those signed
1140	1140	for a voter by a witness, with the signature on the voter's ballot
1141	1141	application and the voter's registration application to determine
1142	1142	whether the signatures are those of the voter. The committee may
1143	1143	also compare the signatures with any two or more signatures of the
1144	1144	voter made within the preceding six years and on file with the
1145	1145	county clerk or voter registrar to determine whether the signatures
1146	1146	are those of the voter. Except as provided by Subsection (l), a
1147	1147	determination under this subsection that the signatures are not
1148	1148	those of the voter must be made by a majority vote of the
1149	1149	committee's membership. The committee shall place the jacket
1150	1150	envelopes, carrier envelopes, and applications of voters whose
1151	1151	signatures are not those of the voter in separate containers from
1152	1152	those of voters whose signatures are those of the voter. The
1153	1153	committee chair shall deliver the sorted materials to the early
1154	1154	voting ballot board at the time specified by the board's presiding
1155	1155	judge.
1156	1156	(i-1) If the signature verification committee uses software
1157	1157	to compare signatures under Subsection (i), the software must have
1158	1158	a 95 percent rate of accuracy.
1159	1159	SECTION 74. Section 87.041, Election Code, is amended by
1160	1160	amending Subsections (b) and (e) and adding Subsection (e-1) to
1161	1161	read as follows:
1162	1162	(b) A ballot may be accepted only if:
1163	1163	(1) the carrier envelope certificate is properly
1164	1164	executed;
1165	1165	(2) neither the voter's signature on the ballot
1166	1166	application nor the signature on the carrier envelope certificate
1167	1167	is determined to have been executed by a person other than the
1168	1168	voter, unless signed by a witness;
1169	1169	(3) the voter's ballot application states a legal
1170	1170	ground for early voting by mail;
1171	1171	(4) the voter is registered to vote, if registration
1172	1172	is required by law;
1173	1173	(5) the address to which the ballot was mailed to the
1174	1174	voter, as indicated by the application, was outside the voter's
1175	1175	county of residence, if the ground for early voting is absence from
1176	1176	the county of residence;
1177	1177	(6) for a voter to whom a statement of residence form
1178	1178	was required to be sent under Section 86.002(a), the statement of
1179	1179	residence is returned in the carrier envelope and indicates that
1180	1180	the voter satisfies the residence requirements prescribed by
1181	1181	Section 63.0011; [and]
1182	1182	(7) the address to which the ballot was mailed to the
1183	1183	voter is an address that is otherwise required by Sections 84.002
1184	1184	and 86.003; and
1185	1185	(8) the carrier envelope is signed by a witness or
1186	1186	notary public as required under Section 86.0053.
1187	1187	(e) In making the determination under Subsection (b)(2),
1188	1188	the board shall compare the signature of the voter on the carrier
1189	1189	envelope certificate with the signature of the voter on the voter's
1190	1190	registration application submitted under Section 13.002. The board
1191	1191	may also compare the signatures with any two or more signatures of
1192	1192	the voter made within the preceding six years and on file with the
1193	1193	county clerk or voter registrar to determine whether the signatures
1194	1194	are those of the voter.
1195	1195	(e-1) If the board uses software to compare signatures under
1196	1196	Subsection (b)(2), the software must have a 95 percent rate of
1197	1197	accuracy.
1198	1198	SECTION 75. Section 87.062, Election Code, is amended by
1199	1199	adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
1200	1200	(a-1) Before counting a ballot voted by mail, the early
1201	1201	voting ballot board shall identify the unique barcode or microchip
1202	1202	included on the ballot under Section 52.076, make a record
1203	1203	indicating that the board has counted a ballot with that barcode or
1204	1204	microchip, and compare the barcode or microchip to records of other
1205	1205	counted ballots. If the barcode or microchip on the ballot is the
1206	1206	same as a barcode or microchip recorded for a ballot that has
1207	1207	already been counted, the board may not count the ballot. Ballots
1208	1208	not counted under this section shall be placed in an envelope and
1209	1209	treated in the same manner as rejected ballots under Section
1210	1210	87.043.
1211	1211	SECTION 76. Section 87.103, Election Code, is amended to
1212	1212	read as follows:
1213	1213	Sec. 87.103. COUNTING BALLOTS AND PREPARING RETURNS. (a)
1214	1214	The early voting electronic system ballots counted at a central
1215	1215	counting station, the ballots cast at precinct polling places, and
1216	1216	the ballots voted by mail shall be tabulated separately [from the
1217	1217	ballots cast at precinct polling places] and shall be separately
1218	1218	reported on the returns.
1219	1219	(a-1) Before counting a ballot voted by mail, the unique
1220	1220	barcode or microchip included on each ballot under Section 52.076
1221	1221	must be identified, recorded, and compared to the barcode or
1222	1222	microchip records of other counted ballots. If the barcode or
1223	1223	microchip on the ballot is the same as a barcode or microchip
1224	1224	recorded for a ballot that has already been counted, the ballot may
1225	1225	not be counted. Ballots not counted under this section shall be
1226	1226	placed in an envelope and treated in the same manner as rejected
1227	1227	ballots under Section 87.043.
1228	1228	(b) The early voting returns prepared at the central
1229	1229	counting station must include any early voting results obtained by
1230	1230	the early voting ballot board under Subchapter [Subchapters] D [and
1231	1231	E].
1232	1232	SECTION 77. Chapter 121, Election Code, is amended by
1233	1233	adding Section 121.004 to read as follows:
1234	1234	Sec. 121.004. COMMUNICATIONS WITH VOTING SYSTEMS VENDOR
1235	1235	PUBLIC INFORMATION. Notwithstanding any other law, including
1236	1236	Chapter 552, Government Code, a written letter, e-mail, or other
1237	1237	communication, including a communication made confidential by
1238	1238	other law, between a public official and a voting systems vendor:
1239	1239	(1) is not confidential;
1240	1240	(2) is public information for purposes of Chapter 552,
1241	1241	Government Code; and
1242	1242	(3) is not subject to an exception to disclosure
1243	1243	provided by Chapter 552, Government Code.
1244	1244	SECTION 78. Subchapter A, Chapter 127, Election Code, is
1245	1245	amended by adding Sections 127.008 and 127.009 to read as follows:
1246	1246	Sec. 127.008. VOTE COUNTING EQUIPMENT IN CENTRAL COUNTING
1247	1247	STATION. No equipment to count votes shall be used that is capable
1248	1248	of being connected to the Internet or any other computer network.
1249	1249	Sec. 127.009. EXCEPTION REPORT FOR REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE.
1250	1250	A person performing requested repairs or maintenance of equipment
1251	1251	at a central counting station in accordance with this title may, as
1252	1252	necessary, enter the central counting station with an electronic
1253	1253	device capable of being connected to the Internet. After
1254	1254	performing the requested repairs or maintenance, the person shall,
1255	1255	not later than the third business day after the date the person
1256	1256	entered the counting station, file an exception report with the
1257	1257	secretary of state in a form adopted by the secretary for that
1258	1258	purpose.
1259	1259	SECTION 79. Section 127.201(a), Election Code, is amended
1260	1260	to read as follows:
1261	1261	(a) To ensure the accuracy of the tabulation of electronic
1262	1262	voting system results, the general custodian of election records
1263	1263	shall conduct a manual count of all the races in at least one
1264	1264	percent of the election precincts or in the three largest
1265	1265	precincts, whichever represents a [is] greater number of voters, in
1266	1266	which the electronic voting system was used. The custodian shall
1267	1267	publicly select the final three precincts at random and shall begin
1268	1268	the count not later than 72 hours after the polls close. The count
1269	1269	shall be completed not later than the 21st day after election day.
1270	1270	Subsection (b) supersedes this subsection to the extent of a
1271	1271	conflict.
1272	1272	SECTION 80. Subchapter A, Chapter 129, Election Code, is
1273	1273	amended by adding Section 129.003 to read as follows:
1274	1274	Sec. 129.003. SECURE VOTING SYSTEM REQUIRED. (a) In this
1275	1275	section, "secure voting system" means a voting system that:
1276	1276	(1) uses voting machines that are not capable of
1277	1277	connecting to the Internet or otherwise wirelessly connecting to
1278	1278	another electronic device; and
1279	1279	(2) either:
1280	1280	(A) uses a paper record; or
1281	1281	(B) produces a paper receipt by which a voter can
1282	1282	verify that the voter's ballot will be counted accurately.
1283	1283	(b) A voting system that consists of direct recording
1284	1284	electronic voting machines may not be used in an election unless the
1285	1285	system is a secure voting system.
1286	1286	(c) Except for a recount under Title 13, the electronic vote
1287	1287	is the official record of the ballot. For a recount of ballots cast
1288	1288	on a system involving direct recording electronic voting machines,
1289	1289	the paper record or receipt copy is the official record of the vote
1290	1290	cast.
1291	1291	SECTION 81. Section 213.013(i), Election Code, is amended
1292	1292	to read as follows:
1293	1293	(i) On [No device capable of recording images or sound is
1294	1294	allowed inside the room in which the recount is conducted, or in any
1295	1295	hallway or corridor in the building in which the recount is
1296	1296	conducted within 30 feet of the entrance to the room, while the
1297	1297	recount is in progress unless the person entitled to be present at
1298	1298	the recount agrees to disable or deactivate the device. However,
1299	1299	on] request of a person entitled to appoint watchers to serve at the
1300	1300	recount, the recount committee chair shall permit the person to
1301	1301	photocopy under the chair's supervision any ballot, including any
1302	1302	supporting materials, challenged by the person or person's watcher.
1303	1303	The person must pay a reasonable charge for making the copies and,
1304	1304	if no photocopying equipment is available, may supply that
1305	1305	equipment at the person's expense. The person shall provide a copy
1306	1306	on request to another person entitled to appoint watchers to serve
1307	1307	at the recount.
1308	1308	SECTION 82. Section 272.011(b), Election Code, is amended
1309	1309	to read as follows:
1310	1310	(b) The secretary of state shall prepare the translation for
1311	1311	election materials required to be provided in a language other than
1312	1312	English or Spanish for the following state prescribed voter forms:
1313	1313	(1) voter registration application form required by
1314	1314	Section 13.002;
1315	1315	(2) the confirmation form required by Section 15.051;
1316	1316	(3) the voting instruction poster required by Section
1317	1317	62.011;
1318	1318	(4) [the reasonable impediment declaration required
1319	1319	by Section 63.001(b);
1320	1320	[(5)] the statement of residence form required by
1321	1321	Section 63.0011;
1322	1322	(5) [(6)] the provisional ballot affidavit required
1323	1323	by Section 63.011;
1324	1324	(6) [(7)] the application for a ballot by mail
1325	1325	required by Section 84.011;
1326	1326	(7) [(8)] the carrier envelope and voting
1327	1327	instructions required by Section 86.013; and
1328	1328	(8) [(9)] any other voter forms that the secretary of
1329	1329	state identifies as frequently used and for which state resources
1330	1330	are otherwise available.
1331	1331	SECTION 83. The heading to Subchapter D, Chapter 273,
1332	1332	Election Code, is amended to read as follows:
1333	1333	SUBCHAPTER D. MANDAMUS [BY APPELLATE COURT]
1334	1334	SECTION 84. Section 273.061, Election Code, is amended to
1335	1335	read as follows:
1336	1336	Sec. 273.061. JURISDICTION. (a) The supreme court or a
1337	1337	court of appeals may issue a writ of mandamus to compel the
1338	1338	performance of any duty imposed by law in connection with the
1339	1339	holding of a statewide [an] election, an election for the office of
1340	1340	state senator or state representative, or a political party
1341	1341	convention, regardless of whether the person responsible for
1342	1342	performing the duty is a public officer.
1343	1343	(b) A district court may issue a writ of mandamus to compel
1344	1344	the performance of any duty imposed by law in connection with the
1345	1345	holding of an election by a municipality, county, or other
1346	1346	political subdivision.
1347	1347	SECTION 85. Subchapter D, Chapter 273, Election Code, is
1348	1348	amended by adding Section 273.064 to read as follows:
1349	1349	Sec. 273.064. VENUE IN DISTRICT COURT. (a) A petition to a
1350	1350	district court for a writ of mandamus under this subchapter must be
1351	1351	filed in a district court in Travis County or in the county in which
1352	1352	the election was held or is to be held.
1353	1353	(b) For an election held or to be held by a political
1354	1354	subdivision other than a municipality or county, a petition filed
1355	1355	under this section may be filed in Travis County or in any county
1356	1356	that contains a portion of the territory of the political
1357	1357	subdivision.
1358	1358	SECTION 86. Subchapter A, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
1359	1359	amended by adding Section 22.023 to read as follows:
1360	1360	Sec. 22.023. PREFERENCE FOR HEARINGS OR TRIALS RELATED TO
1361	1361	ELECTIONS. The supreme court shall give preference to a hearing or
1362	1362	trial related to the conduct of an election.
1363	1363	SECTION 87. Subchapter C, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
1364	1364	amended by adding Section 22.229 to read as follows:
1365	1365	Sec. 22.229. PREFERENCE FOR HEARINGS OR TRIALS RELATED TO
1366	1366	ELECTIONS. A court of appeals shall give preference to a hearing or
1367	1367	trial related to the conduct of an election.
1368	1368	SECTION 88. Section 23.101, Government Code, is amended by
1369	1369	adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
1370	1370	(e) The trial courts of this state shall give preference to
1371	1371	a hearing or trial related to the conduct of an election, above the
1372	1372	preference described by Subsection (a).
1373	1373	SECTION 89. Section 62.113(b), Government Code, is amended
1374	1374	to read as follows:
1375	1375	(b) On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall
1376	1376	send a copy of the list of persons excused or disqualified because
1377	1377	of citizenship in the previous month to:
1378	1378	(1) the voter registrar of the county;
1379	1379	(2) the secretary of state; and
1380	1380	(3) the county or district attorney, as applicable, or
1381	1381	the attorney general for an investigation of whether the person
1382	1382	committed an offense under Section 13.007, Election Code, or other
1383	1383	law.
1384	1384	SECTION 90. Sections 62.114(b) and (c), Government Code,
1385	1385	are amended to read as follows:
1386	1386	(b) On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall
1387	1387	send [to the voter registrar of the county] a copy of the list of
1388	1388	persons excused or disqualified in the previous month because the
1389	1389	persons do not reside in the county to:
1390	1390	(1) the voter registrar of the county;
1391	1391	(2) the secretary of state; and
1392	1392	(3) the county or district attorney, as applicable, or
1393	1393	the attorney general for an investigation of whether the person
1394	1394	committed an offense under Section 13.007, Election Code, or other
1395	1395	law.
1396	1396	(c) A list compiled under this section may not be used for a
1397	1397	purpose other than a purpose described by Subsection (b) or Section
1398	1398	15.081 or 18.068, Election Code.
1399	1399	SECTION 91. Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
1400	1400	amended by adding Section 411.1791 to read as follows:
1401	1401	Sec. 411.1791. FORM OF NONCITIZEN LICENSE. In adopting the
1402	1402	form of a license under Section 411.179(a), the department shall
1403	1403	ensure that a license issued to a person who is not a citizen of the
1404	1404	United States:
1405	1405	(1) has a substantially different design from a
1406	1406	license issued to a person who is a citizen; and
1407	1407	(2) displays the word "NONCITIZEN" on both the front
1408	1408	and back of the license.
1409	1409	SECTION 92. Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
1410	1410	amended by adding Section 411.1955 to read as follows:
1411	1411	Sec. 411.1955. EXEMPTION FOR INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS. (a) In
1412	1412	this section, "indigent" means a person who is not financially able
1413	1413	to afford a fee under this subchapter.
1414	1414	(b) An indigent individual is entitled to an exemption from
1415	1415	the payment of fees for the issuance of an original or renewed
1416	1416	license under this subchapter.
1417	1417	(c) The department shall adopt criteria and a process to
1418	1418	determine if an individual is indigent and any other rules or
1419	1419	procedures necessary to implement this section.
1420	1420	SECTION 93. Section 521.054, Transportation Code, is
1421	1421	amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
1422	1422	(e) If the department is notified that a person over the age
1423	1423	of 18 has changed the person's address under this section, the
1424	1424	department shall forward the change of address notification to the
1425	1425	voter registrar for the county where the person previously resided.
1426	1426	SECTION 94. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
1427	1427	amended by adding Section 531.024132 to read as follows:
1428	1428	Sec. 531.024132. VOTER IDENTIFICATION ACQUISITION FOR
1429	1429	INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY. (a) The commission shall develop
1430	1430	and implement a voter identification acquisition program to assist
1431	1431	an individual with a disability who is registered to vote in
1432	1432	obtaining an original, renewal, or duplicate form of photo
1433	1433	identification listed in Section 63.0101(a), Election Code, by:
1434	1434	(1) providing the individual with transportation to
1435	1435	the office of a state or federal agency; or
1436	1436	(2) coordinating with an employee of a state or
1437	1437	federal agency to transport the employee to the individual's home
1438	1438	or another location convenient to the individual.
1439	1439	(b) The commission may adopt rules necessary to implement
1440	1440	this section.
1441	1441	SECTION 95. Subchapter E, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
1442	1442	is amended by adding Section 521.1011 to read as follows:
1443	1443	Sec. 521.1011. DESIGNATOR ON CERTIFICATE ISSUED TO
1444	1444	NONCITIZEN. A personal identification certificate issued to a
1445	1445	person who is not a citizen of the United States must:
1446	1446	(1) have a substantially different design from a
1447	1447	personal identification certificate issued to a person who is a
1448	1448	citizen; and
1449	1449	(2) display the word "NONCITIZEN" on both the front
1450	1450	and back of the certificate.
1451	1451	SECTION 96. Subchapter F, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
1452	1452	is amended by adding Section 521.1231 to read as follows:
1453	1453	Sec. 521.1231. DESIGNATOR ON LICENSE ISSUED TO NONCITIZEN.
1454	1454	A driver's license issued to an applicant who is not a citizen of
1455	1455	the United States must:
1456	1456	(1) have a substantially different design from a
1457	1457	driver's license issued to a person who is a citizen; and
1458	1458	(2) display the word "NONCITIZEN" on both the front
1459	1459	and back of the license.
1460	1460	SECTION 97. Subchapter R, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
1461	1461	is amended by adding Section 521.4268 to read as follows:
1462	1462	Sec. 521.4268. EXEMPTION FOR INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS. (a) In
1463	1463	this section, "indigent" means a person who is not financially able
1464	1464	to afford a fee under this chapter.
1465	1465	(b) An indigent individual is entitled to an exemption from
1466	1466	the payment of fees under this chapter for the issuance of a
1467	1467	driver's license or personal identification certificate.
1468	1468	(c) The department shall adopt criteria and a process to
1469	1469	determine if an individual is indigent and any other rules or
1470	1470	procedures necessary to implement this section.
1471	1471	SECTION 98. The following provisions of the Election Code
1472	1472	are repealed:
1473	1473	(1) Section 15.082(d);
1474	1474	(2) Section 15.084(d);
1475	1475	(3) Section 20.006(c);
1476	1476	(4) Section 43.004(c);
1477	1477	(5) Section 43.007;
1478	1478	(6) Section 63.001(i);
1479	1479	(7) Section 63.0013;
1480	1480	(8) Section 63.0101(b);
1481	1481	(9) Section 65.002(b);
1482	1482	(10) Section 82.003;
1483	1483	(11) Section 82.004;
1484	1484	(12) Section 84.009;
1485	1485	(13) Section 84.032(e); and
1486	1486	(14) Section 127.201(f).
1487	1487	SECTION 99. The changes in law made by this Act apply only
1488	1488	to an application to vote an early voting ballot by mail submitted
1489	1489	on or after the effective date of this Act. An application to vote
1490	1490	an early voting ballot by mail submitted before the effective date
1491	1491	of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the application
1492	1492	was submitted, and the former law is continued in effect for that
1493	1493	purpose.
1494	1494	SECTION 100. The changes in law made by this Act apply only
1495	1495	to a license to carry a handgun, personal identification
1496	1496	certificate, or driver's license issued or renewed on or after the
1497	1497	effective date of this Act. A license to carry a handgun, personal
1498	1498	identification certificate, or driver's license issued or renewed
1499	1499	before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
1500	1500	effect when the license or certificate was issued or renewed, and
1501	1501	the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
1502	1502	SECTION 101. The changes in law made by this Act apply only
1503	1503	to an application to register to vote submitted on or after the
1504	1504	effective date of this Act.
1505	1505	SECTION 102. This Act takes effect immediately if it
1506	1506	receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
1507	1507	house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.
1508	1508	If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate
1509	1509	effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.