BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 511 89R3901 TSS-D By: Bettencourt et al. State Affairs 3/11/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT During the leadup to the 2024 General Election, Bexar and Travis counties spent taxpayer funds to contract with a company to send out unsolicited voter registration cards. S.B. 511 bans an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state from distributing voter registration cards to a person who did not request it, with a few exceptions. S.B. 511 would also prohibit an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision from using public funds to facilitate the distribution of voter registration cards by another person. As proposed, S.B. 511 amends current law relating to prohibiting an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state from distributing certain voter registration application forms. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Election Code, by adding Section 13.009, as follows: Sec. 13.009. DISTRIBUTION OF APPLICATION. (a) Prohibits an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state, except as provided by Subsection (c) or Subchapter B (Volunteer Deputy Registrars; High School Deputy Registrars), from distributing a form on which a person is authorized to apply for registration to a person who did not request it. (b) Prohibits an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state from using public funds to facilitate the distribution by another person of a form described by Subsection (a) to a person who did not request it. (c) Authorizes a political party or candidate for office to distribute a form described by Subsection (a) to a person who did not request it. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 511
89R3901 TSS-D By: Bettencourt et al.
State Affairs
3/11/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 511
89R3901 TSS-D
By: Bettencourt et al.
State Affairs
3/11/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
During the leadup to the 2024 General Election, Bexar and Travis counties spent taxpayer funds to contract with a company to send out unsolicited voter registration cards.
S.B. 511 bans an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state from distributing voter registration cards to a person who did not request it, with a few exceptions. S.B. 511 would also prohibit an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision from using public funds to facilitate the distribution of voter registration cards by another person.
As proposed, S.B. 511 amends current law relating to prohibiting an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state from distributing certain voter registration application forms.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Election Code, by adding Section 13.009, as follows:
Sec. 13.009. DISTRIBUTION OF APPLICATION. (a) Prohibits an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state, except as provided by Subsection (c) or Subchapter B (Volunteer Deputy Registrars; High School Deputy Registrars), from distributing a form on which a person is authorized to apply for registration to a person who did not request it.
(b) Prohibits an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state from using public funds to facilitate the distribution by another person of a form described by Subsection (a) to a person who did not request it.
(c) Authorizes a political party or candidate for office to distribute a form described by Subsection (a) to a person who did not request it.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.