Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HB380 Latest Draft

Bill / Engrossed Version Filed 05/05/2023

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                            88R20889 TSS-D
 By: Bucy H.B. No. 380


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the secretary of state posting on the secretary of
 state's Internet website databases containing certain information
 about elections.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Section 4.003, Election Code, is amended by
 amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (e-1) to read as
 follows:
 (e)  The authority responsible for giving notice of the
 election shall deliver:
 (1)  to the secretary of state a copy of the notice of a
 consolidated precinct required by Subsection (b) not later than the
 date of the election; and
 (2)  in January of each year information on an election
 for a partisan office, the office of mayor, or a position on the
 governing body of a city or board of trustees of an independent
 school district for the secretary of state's database of election
 information under Section 31.017 in an electronic format as
 follows:
 (A)  if the authority is a county or political
 party, as required by the secretary of state; or
 (B)  if the authority is a city or school
 district, to the county in which the authority is located.
 (e-1)  A county receiving information under Subsection
 (e)(2)(B) shall forward the information to the secretary of state.
 SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Election Code, is
 amended by adding Sections 31.017 and 31.018 to read as follows:
 Sec. 31.017.  INTERNET DATABASE OF ELECTION INFORMATION.
 (a) The secretary of state shall post on the secretary of state's
 public Internet website a database containing information on each
 election for a partisan office, the office of mayor, or a position
 on the governing body of a city or board of trustees of an
 independent school district provided under Sections 4.003(e) and
 (e-1).  The database must include the following information:
 (1)  the name of the authority;
 (2)  each office to be filled at the election;
 (3)  whether the office is elected at large or by
 district;
 (4)  the duration of the term of office; and
 (5)  the dates of the preceding and next election for
 the office.
 (b)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules as necessary to
 implement this section.
 Sec. 31.018.  INTERNET DATABASE FOR INCUMBENTS AND
 CANDIDATES. (a) The secretary of state shall post on the secretary
 of state's public Internet website a database containing
 information about each holder of and candidate for any partisan
 elected office, office of mayor, or position on the governing body
 of a city or a board of trustees of an independent school district
 in this state.
 (b)  The database must include the following information
 about a holder of a partisan elected office, the office of mayor, or
 a position on the governing body of a city or board of trustees of an
 independent school district:
 (1)  name;
 (2)  office title, including any district, place, or
 position and a notation that the person is an incumbent;
 (3)  if the office is elected at large or by district;
 (4)  date of the previous and next election for the
 office;
 (5)  public mailing address;
 (6)  public telephone number, if available; and
 (7)  public e-mail address, if available.
 (c)  The database must include the following information
 about a candidate for a partisan elected office, the office of
 mayor, or a position on the governing body of a city or board of
 trustees of an independent school district:
 (1)  name;
 (2)  office sought, including any district, place, or
 position;
 (3)  if the office is elected at large or by district;
 (4)  date of the election;
 (5)  public mailing address;
 (6)  public telephone number, if available;
 (7)  public e-mail address, if available; and
 (8)  if the candidate has filed as a write-in
 candidate.
 (d)  The county with whom a declaration of candidacy is
 filed, a state or county chair of a political party, or the
 presiding officer of a political party's convention shall provide
 information about a candidate or officeholder to the secretary of
 state.  A political subdivision shall provide information about a
 candidate or officeholder to the county in which the political
 subdivision is located and the county shall forward that
 information to the secretary of state.
 (e)  The secretary of state shall make the name, office, and
 party affiliation of the holder of a partisan elected office, the
 office of mayor, or a position on the governing body of a city or
 board of trustees of an independent school district available on
 the secretary of state's public Internet website for as long as the
 person holds that office.
 (f)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules as necessary to
 implement this section.
 SECTION 3.  Section 141.032, Election Code, is amended by
 adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
 (h)  A county or political party with whom an application is
 filed shall provide the secretary of state with the candidate's
 information required for the secretary of state's public Internet
 website under Section 31.018.  A political subdivision with whom an
 application is filed shall provide the candidate's information to
 the county in which the political subdivision is located, and the
 county shall forward the candidate's information to the secretary
 of state.
 SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2025.