H.B. No. 1632
AN ACT
relating to standardized training for election officers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 32.111(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The secretary of state shall:
(1) adopt standards of training in election law and
procedure for presiding or alternate election judges;
(2) develop materials for a standardized curriculum
for that training, including a published handbook, made available
on the secretary of state's Internet website, free of charge; and
(3) distribute the materials as necessary to the
governing bodies of political subdivisions that hold elections and
to each county executive committee of a political party that holds a
primary election.
SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 32, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 32.1111 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.1111. ONLINE TRAINING. (a) The secretary of state
shall:
(1) make available a standardized training program
developed under Section 32.111:
(A) entirely via the Internet; and
(B) at any time, without a requirement for prior
registration;
(2) require the passage of an examination at the end of
the training program; and
(3) provide an individual who completes the training
with a certificate of completion.
(b) A certificate of completion provided under Subsection
(a)(3) shall expire no later than one year following the date it was
awarded.
(c) Completion of the training program under this section is
not a prerequisite to eligibility for service in an election for:
(1) county election officials;
(2) presiding or alternate election judges;
(3) election clerks;
(4) members of the early voting ballot board;
(5) members of the signature verification committee;
or
(6) central counting station officers.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 87, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 87.0031 to read as follows:
Sec. 87.0031. TRAINING. The secretary of state shall
provide a standardized training program and materials for members
of an early voting ballot board in the same manner it provides such
a program under Subchapter F, Chapter 32.
SECTION 4. Subchapter B, Chapter 87, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 87.0272 to read as follows:
Sec. 87.0272. TRAINING. The secretary of state shall
provide a standardized training program and materials for members
of a signature verification committee in the same manner it
provides such a program under Subchapter F, Chapter 32.
SECTION 5. Subchapter A, Chapter 127, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 127.010 to read as follows:
Sec. 127.010. TRAINING. The secretary of state shall
provide a standardized training program and materials for members
of a counting station in the same manner it provides such a program
under Subchapter F, Chapter 32.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1632 was passed by the House on May 2,
2023, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1632 was passed by the Senate on May
17, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor