By: Hughes, Hall, Kolkhorst S.B. No. 1600
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify
eligibility to vote in Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 13.002, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
follows:
(a) A person desiring to register to vote must submit an
application and proof of citizenship as required under Subsection
(a-1) to the registrar of the county in which the person
resides. Except as provided by Subsection (e), an application must
be submitted by personal delivery, by mail, or by telephonic
facsimile machine in accordance with Sections 13.143(d) and (d-2).
(a-1) To the extent permitted by the National Voter
Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Section 20501 et seq.) and
Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council Of Arizona, Inc., 570 U.S. 1 (2013),
the secretary of state shall prescribe rules that require a person
to submit to the registrar proof of citizenship to determine voter
eligibility.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2024, the
secretary of state shall request that the federal Election
Assistance Commission alter the mail voter registration
application form requirements described in the National Voter
Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Section 20501 et seq.) to
include a requirement that applicants submit documented proof of
citizenship as a condition to registration in Texas.
(b) If the commission fails to comply before the 180th day
following the secretary of state's request under this section, the
attorney general shall seek enforcement in a court of law.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.