By: Bettencourt, et al. S.B. No. 510
(In the Senate - Filed November 25, 2024; February 3, 2025,
read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
April 7, 2025, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8,
Nays 0; April 7, 2025, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the failure of a voter registrar to comply with voter
registration laws.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 16.039, Election Code, is transferred to
Subchapter A, Chapter 12, Election Code, redesignated as Section
12.007, Election Code, and amended to read as follows:
Sec. 12.007 [16.039]. FAILURE BY REGISTRAR TO TIMELY
PERFORM DUTY. (a) The secretary of state may withhold funds
administered and distributed by the secretary under Chapter 19 or
Section 31.009 from a registrar if the [If a] registrar fails to
timely perform a duty imposed on the registrar under this code
[subchapter] requiring:
(1) the approval, change, or cancellation of a voter's
registration;
(2) the scheduling of a hearing under Section 16.064
or 16.093;
(3) the determination of a challenge under Section
16.066 or 16.095; or
(4) the delivery of notice under Section 16.0921[, the
secretary of state may withhold funds administered and distributed
by the secretary under Chapter 19 or Section 31.009 from the
registrar].
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the secretary of state
shall distribute funds under Chapter 19 or Section 31.009 if the
registrar performs the registrar's duty not later than 30 days
after the funds are withheld.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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