HBA-SEB H.B. 307 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 307 By: Madden Elections 2/15/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law prohibits a person from electioneering within 100 feet of an outside door through which a voter may enter the building in which a polling place is located, or within 30 feet of an early voting polling place. However, the law does not define the term "electioneering." H.B. 307 defines "electioneering" and establishes the 100-foot limitation for an early voting polling place. 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 Section 1.005, Election Code, to define "electioneering" to mean intending to influence voters, either verbally or by wearing or holding paraphernalia relating to a candidate, measure, or political party. SECTION 2. Amends Sections 85.036 (a) and (b), Election Code, to increase from 30 to 100 feet the distance from the entrance to an early voting area wherein a person is prohibited from electioneering. Increases from 30 to 100 feet the distance from the entrance to a courthouse, subcourthouse, or courthouse annex which contains a polling place, wherein a person is prohibited from electioneering. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.