HBA-GUM H.B. 1577 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1577
By: Madden
Elections
4/12/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 75th Texas Legislature shortened early voting periods by three days,
from 20 to 17 days before election day.  The number of people voting in
these early voting periods did not diminish significantly.  Costs to hold
these elections are still high.  H.B. 1577 shortens the period for early
voting by personal appearance from 17 to 10 days before election day.
Early voting for general elections and general primary elections will
continue to begin 17 days before election day. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 85.001(a) and (b), Election Code, as follows:

(a)  Provides that the period for early voting by personal appearance
begins on the 10th day, rather than the 17th day, before election day.  

(b)  Provides that for the general election for state and county officers,
an election held on that same day, and the general primary election, rather
than a special runoff election for an office of state legislator or for a
runoff primary election, the voting period begins on the 17th day, rather
than the 10th day, before election day. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.