89R1517 PRL-D
By: Bucy H.B. No. 509
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of certain entities and individuals to
prevent individuals from accessing private property for the purpose
of registering voters or communicating political messages.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 276, Election Code, is amended by adding
Section 276.020 to read as follows:
Sec. 276.020. DOOR-TO-DOOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND
POLITICAL MESSAGING. (a) In this section, "residential unit"
includes a single-family house, a single-family house located in a
residential subdivision or housing development, an apartment, a
condominium, or another unit in a multifamily residential
structure.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a political
subdivision, property owners' association, homeowners'
association, or property manager may not adopt or enforce a rule,
order, ordinance, or policy that prevents an individual from
knocking on the front door of a residential unit, ringing the
doorbell of the unit, or leaving a pamphlet, flier, or other form of
written communication at the unit for the purpose of:
(1) assisting an occupant of the unit with registering
to vote; or
(2) communicating to an occupant of the unit support
or opposition for:
(A) a candidate for nomination or election to
public office or office of a political party;
(B) a political party; or
(C) a measure, as defined by Section 251.001.
(c) A political subdivision, property owners' association,
homeowners' association, or property manager may adopt and enforce
a reasonable restriction on the time, place, or manner of an
activity described by Subsection (b).
(d) A peace officer, as that term is described by Article
2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, or private party may not
prevent an individual from engaging in an activity described by
Subsection (b) unless the officer or party reasonably believes that
the activity poses a threat to a person or property or is in
violation of a statute, ordinance, order, rule, or policy.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.