Dyson Bill Bars Officials From Pushing Unrequested Voter Applications

The text as introduced · 380 words

89R5828 MPF-D

By: Dyson
H.B. No. 3827

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to unlawful solicitation and distribution of a voter

registration application; creating a criminal offense.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 276, Election Code, is amended by adding

Section 276.0175 to read as follows:

Sec. 276.0175. UNLAWFUL SOLICITATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF

VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION. (a) A public official or election

official commits an offense if the official, while acting in an

official capacity, knowingly:

(1) solicits the submission of a voter registration

application from a person who did not request an application;

(2) distributes a voter registration application to a

person who did not request the application, except as the

distribution is authorized by Chapter 13, Chapter 20, or another

provision of this code;

(3) authorizes or approves the expenditure of public

funds to facilitate third-party distribution of a voter

registration application to a person who did not request the

application; or

(4) completes any portion of a voter registration

application and distributes the application to an applicant.

(b) Subsection (a)(2) does not apply if the public official

or election official engaged in the conduct described by that

subdivision by providing access to a voter registration application

from a publicly accessible Internet website.

(c) Subsection (a) does not apply if a public official or

election official:

(1) provides general information about applying to

register to vote, the voter registration process, or the timeliness

of applying to register to vote to a person or the public; or

(2) engages in conduct described by Subsection (a)

while acting in the official's capacity as a candidate for public

elective office.

(d) An offense under this section is a state jail felony.

(e) A remedy provided under this section is cumulative, and

does not restrict any other remedies provided by this code or by

law. A violation of this section is subject to injunctive relief or

mandamus as provided by this code.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.