88R13331 TSS-D
By: Bucy H.B. No. 3763
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of certain optical scan ballot technology by an
election authority operating a central counting station.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 127, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 127.133 to read as follows:
Sec. 127.133. STUDY ON OPTICAL SCAN BALLOT TECHNOLOGY. (a)
The secretary of state shall conduct a study to consider the
feasibility of requiring an election authority operating a central
counting station under this chapter who uses a centrally counted
optical ballot scan system to only use data storage discs on which
information, once written, is not capable of being modified. The
study must consider:
(1) whether the technology exists that would allow the
requirement to be attainable by election authorities in this state;
and
(2) the cost of implementing the requirement for each
state and county election official.
(b) Not later than October 1, 2024, the secretary of state
shall create a detailed report including a summary of the findings
of the study and the secretary of state's recommendations on
whether the requirement described by Subsection (a) should become
law, and:
(1) deliver the report to the legislature; and
(2) make the report publicly available.
(c) This section expires December 1, 2024.
SECTION 2. Sections 127.1301(b), (c), (d), and (e),
Election Code, are repealed.
SECTION 3. 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 September 1, 2023.