HB 1312
AN ACT relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
This Texas bill strengthens voter registration requirements by mandating that individuals provide documented proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Potential voters must submit citizenship verification to their county registrar, with the state's secretary of state developing specific rules for acceptable documentation. If federal authorities do not modify national voter registration forms to include citizenship proof by January 2026, the Texas attorney general will seek legal enforcement of the requirement.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 13.002, Election Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as (a) A person desiring to register to vote must submit an application and proof of citizenship as required under Subsection (a-1) to the registrar of the county in which the person resides. Except as provided by Subsection (e), an application must be submitted by personal delivery, by mail, or by telephonic facsimile machine in accordance with Sections 13.143(d) and (d-2). (a-1) To the extent permitted by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Section 20501 et seq.) and Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., 570 U.S. 1 (2013), , 570 U.S. 1 (2013), the secretary of state shall prescribe rules that require a person to submit to the registrar proof of citizenship to determine voter SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the secretary of state shall request that the federal Election Assistance Commission alter the mail voter registration application form requirements described in the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Section 20501 et seq.) to include a requirement that applicants submit documented proof of citizenship as a condition to registration in Texas. (b) If the commission fails to comply before the 180th day following the secretary of state's request under this section, the attorney general shall seek enforcement in a court of law. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Aliens and related subject areas.
Ky Ash
Elizabeth Hadley
David Doran Parker
Galt Graydon
Chris Hosek
Christopher Hughes
Amanda Sheridan Kimball
Jacob Smith
Damon Withrow
Ann Baddour
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify
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