88R7643 PRL-F
By: Paul H.B. No. 1632
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to standardized training for election officers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 32, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 32.1111 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.1111. TRAINING. (a) The secretary of state shall
provide a standardized training program in election law and
procedure for presiding or alternate election judges.
(b) The secretary of state shall develop materials for a
standardized curriculum for the training program provided under
Subsection (a), including a published handbook, made available on
the secretary of state's Internet website, free of charge.
(c) The training program provided under Subsection (a)
must:
(1) be available:
(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.
(d) A certificate of completion provided under Subsection
(c)(3) shall expire no later than one year following the date it was
awarded.
(e) A current certificate of completion awarded under this
section is a prerequisite to eligibility for service in an
election.
SECTION 2. Section 32.112, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 32.112. EXPENSE OF TRAINING JUDGES. The governing
body of a political subdivision may appropriate funds to:
(1) compensate its election judges, early voting
clerk, and deputy early voting clerks in charge of early voting
polling places for attending a training program required under
Section 32.1111 [32.111], at an hourly rate not to exceed the
maximum rate of compensation of an election judge for services
rendered at a precinct polling place [or, if applicable, for
attending a training program under Section 32.114]; and
(2) pay the expenses of conducting the programs.
SECTION 3. Section 33.008, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 33.008. TRAINING PROGRAM. The secretary of state
shall provide a standardized training program and materials for
watchers in the same manner it provides such a program under
Subchapter F, Chapter 32 [develop and maintain a training program
for watchers. The training program must:
[(1) be available:
[(A) entirely via the Internet; and
[(B) at any time, without a requirement for prior
registration; and
[(2) provide a watcher who completes the training with
a certificate of completion].
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 7. The following laws are repealed:
(1) Section 32.111, Election Code;
(2) Section 32.113, Election Code;
(3) Section 32.114, Election Code; and
(4) Section 32.115, Election Code.
SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.