87S10043 BRG-D
By: Perry S.B. No. 31
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of certain information regarding voter
qualification.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 16.0332, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1), (d), and (e)
to read as follows:
(a) After the registrar receives notification [a list]
under Subsection (a-1) of this section, Section 18.068 of this
code, or Section 62.113, Government Code, of persons excused or
disqualified from jury service because of citizenship status or
notification of persons who indicate a lack of citizenship status
in connection with a motor vehicle or Department of Public Safety
record, the registrar shall deliver to each registered voter whose
name appears on the list a written notice requiring the voter to
submit to the registrar proof of United States citizenship in the
form of a certified copy of the voter's birth certificate, United
States passport, or certificate of naturalization or any other form
prescribed by the secretary of state. The notice shall be delivered
by forwardable mail to the mailing address on the voter's
registration application and to any new address of the voter known
to the registrar.
(a-1) The secretary of state shall enter into an agreement
with the Department of Public Safety under which information in the
existing statewide computerized voter registration list is
compared against information in the database of the Department of
Public Safety on a monthly basis to verify the accuracy of
citizenship status information previously provided on voter
registration applications.
(d) The secretary of state shall prescribe rules for the
administration of this section.
(e) Not later than December 31 of each year, the secretary
of state shall provide a report to the legislature of the number of
voter registrations canceled under this section during the calendar
year.
SECTION 2. Section 18.068(a), Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
follows:
(a) The secretary of state shall quarterly compare the
information received under Section 16.001 of this code and Sections
[Section] 62.113 and 62.114, Government Code, to the statewide
computerized voter registration list. If the secretary determines
that a voter on the registration list is deceased or has been
excused or disqualified from jury service because the voter is not a
citizen or a resident of the county in which the voter is registered
to vote, the secretary shall send notice of the determination to:
(1) the voter registrar of the counties considered
appropriate by the secretary; and
(2) the attorney general, who shall quarterly review
the information to investigate whether a person has committed an
offense under Section 13.007 or other law.
(a-1) The secretary of state is not required to send notice
under Subsection (a) for a voter who is subject to an exemption from
jury service under Section 62.106, Government Code.
SECTION 3. Section 62.113(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall
send a copy of the list of persons excused or disqualified because
of citizenship in the previous month to:
(1) the voter registrar of the county;
(2) the secretary of state; and
(3) the attorney general and the county or district
attorney[, as applicable,] for an investigation of whether the
person committed an offense under Section 13.007, Election Code, or
other law.
SECTION 4. Sections 62.114(b) and (c), Government Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(b) On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall
send [to the voter registrar of the county] a copy of the list of
persons excused or disqualified in the previous month because the
persons do not reside in the county to:
(1) the voter registrar of the county;
(2) the secretary of state; and
(3) the attorney general and the county or district
attorney for an investigation of whether the person committed an
offense under Section 13.007, Election Code, or other law.
(c) A list compiled under this section may not be used for a
purpose other than a purpose described by Subsection (b) or Section
15.081 or 18.068, Election Code.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the
legislative session.