HB 1670

AN ACT relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify

House Bill Leach
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Calendar

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Sent

Enrolled

Governor

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89th Regular Session

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

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Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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What This Bill Does

This Texas bill requires voters to provide documented proof of citizenship when registering to vote, adding a new requirement beyond the current voter registration process. By January 1, 2026, the secretary of state must request that the federal Election Assistance Commission modify the national voter registration form to include citizenship documentation requirements for Texas. If the federal commission does not comply, the Texas attorney general is instructed to seek legal enforcement, potentially creating new barriers to voter registration for some individuals.

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.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify