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.