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.