89R5828 MPF-D
By: Creighton S.B. No. 2362
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to unlawful solicitation and distribution of a voter
registration application; creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 276, Election Code, is amended by adding
Section 276.0175 to read as follows:
Sec. 276.0175. UNLAWFUL SOLICITATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF
VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION. (a) A public official or election
official commits an offense if the official, while acting in an
official capacity, knowingly:
(1) solicits the submission of a voter registration
application from a person who did not request an application;
(2) distributes a voter registration application to a
person who did not request the application, except as the
distribution is authorized by Chapter 13, Chapter 20, or another
provision of this code;
(3) authorizes or approves the expenditure of public
funds to facilitate third-party distribution of a voter
registration application to a person who did not request the
application; or
(4) completes any portion of a voter registration
application and distributes the application to an applicant.
(b) Subsection (a)(2) does not apply if the public official
or election official engaged in the conduct described by that
subdivision by providing access to a voter registration application
from a publicly accessible Internet website.
(c) Subsection (a) does not apply if a public official or
election official:
(1) provides general information about applying to
register to vote, the voter registration process, or the timeliness
of applying to register to vote to a person or the public; or
(2) engages in conduct described by Subsection (a)
while acting in the official's capacity as a candidate for public
elective office.
(d) An offense under this section is a state jail felony.
(e) A remedy provided under this section is cumulative, and
does not restrict any other remedies provided by this code or by
law. A violation of this section is subject to injunctive relief or
mandamus as provided by this code.
SECTION 2. 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, 2025.