HBA-RBT H.B. 2392 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2392
By: Goolsby
Elections
3/27/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Last year, the state of Texas was extended a formal invitation by the
Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) to participate in an Internet
voting pilot project.  This pilot project allows members of the U.S. armed
forces who are overseas to cast absentee ballots electronically rather than
through the mail.  H.B. 2392 allows a Texas county to participate in an
Internet voting pilot project if selected. 

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 Chapter 105, Election Code, as added by Chapter 1349,
Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, by adding Section
105.003, as follows: 

Sec.  105.003.  INTERNET VOTING PILOT PROJECT.  Authorizes any county
selected by the United States Department of Defense to participate in a
federal voting assistance program pilot project to allow members of the
armed forces of the United States to cast votes electronically.  Provides
that this section expires January 1, 2003. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.