HB 1477

AN ACT relating to preparing and delivering precinct election returns;

House Bill • Swanson | Isaac

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

In Committee

Hearing Scheduled

Passed Committee

Floor Calendar

Passed Chamber

Sent to Other Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Sent to Governor

Signed into Law

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

← Back to Bills

Committee

Not yet assigned

Fiscal Note

Not available

What This Bill Does

Modifies procedures for handling precinct election returns if they are not delivered by the required deadline. If election records are not submitted on time, the Secretary of State can now directly supervise completing vote counts and distributing records, or a district judge can order and oversee the process. The bill also changes the classification of related offenses from a Class B to a Class A violation, potentially increasing potential penalties for election record mishandling.

Subject Areas

SECRETARY OF STATE Elections--Administration Elections--Election Officers

Bill Text

relating to preparing and delivering precinct election returns;
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 65.014(e), Election Code, is amended to
(e)  An offense under Subsection (d) is a Class A [B]
SECTION 2.  Section 66.055, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 66.055.  FAILURE TO DELIVER [JUDICIAL IMPOUNDMENT OF]
ELECTION RECORDS.  (a)  If the precinct election records are not
delivered by the deadline prescribed by Section 66.053(c):
(1)  the secretary of state may supervise the
activities necessary to complete the count, prepare the precinct
returns, and distribute the records; or
(2)[,] on application by a member of the canvassing
authority, a district judge shall order the precinct election
(b)  If the precinct election records are impounded under
Subsection (a)(2), the [The] district judge shall supervise the
activities necessary to complete the count, prepare the precinct
returns, and distribute the records.
SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act in amending
Section 65.014(e), Election Code, applies only to an offense
committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense
committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former
law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this
section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this
Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.