HB 4849
bill bars numbering ballots with networked devices
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the numbering of ballots.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Consecutive numbering starting at “1” for electronic ballots too.
The bill bars official ballots from being numbered by a device described in Section 31.014 of the Election Code, or by any device connected to one directly or over a shared network. It also makes the existing rule that ballots be numbered consecutively starting at "1" apply to electronic system ballots, which touches every authority that prepares official ballots. Starting September 1, 2025, election offices must number ballots, including electronic ones, without using those devices or anything networked to them.
Labels
Labels: QUICK READ: 140 WORDS. The bill as filed runs 140 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 13, 2025 and referred to the House Elections committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB4849 · 2025-03-13
SOLD BY
+ 3 coauthors
ITEM
relating to the numbering of ballots.
WHAT IT DOES
Consecutive numbering starting at “1” for electronic ballots too.
The bill bars official ballots from being numbered by a device described in Section 31.014 of the Election Code, or by any device connected to one directly or over a shared network. It also makes the existing rule that ballots be numbered consecutively starting at "1" apply to electronic system ballots, which touches every authority that prepares official ballots. Starting September 1, 2025, election offices must number ballots, including electronic ones, without using those devices or anything networked to them.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Elections
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Texas Conservative Majority PAC$330,900.00
Texas Conservative Majority PAC
$330,900.00
- Cash
- $250,000.00
- Paid by others
- $80,900.00
- Total
- $330,900.00
Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Sep 8, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101070592, 101073198.
Texas Sands PAC$214,000.00
Texas Sands PAC
$214,000.00
- Cash
- $214,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $214,000.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Oct 22, 2025 to Oct 7, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101029510, 101059372, 101073198.
Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$157,954.79
Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund
$157,954.79
- Cash
- $0.00
- Paid by others
- $157,954.79
- Total
- $157,954.79
Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jul 27, 2026 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101070592, 101073198.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texas Conservative Majority PAC
$330,900.00
- Cash
- $250,000.00
- Paid by others
- $80,900.00
- Total
- $330,900.00
Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Sep 8, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101070592, 101073198.
Texas Sands PAC
$214,000.00
- Cash
- $214,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $214,000.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Oct 22, 2025 to Oct 7, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101029510, 101059372, 101073198.
Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund
$157,954.79
- Cash
- $0.00
- Paid by others
- $157,954.79
- Total
- $157,954.79
Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jul 27, 2026 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101070592, 101073198.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Mar 13, 2025
04/03/2025 H Referred to Elections: Apr 3 2025 12:38PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Elections · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Elections--Administration
Elections--General
Elections--Voting Systems
Electronic Information Systems
Text
The text as introduced · 140 words
89R15734 JDK-D By: McQueeney H.B. No. 4849 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the numbering of ballots. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 52.062, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 52.062. NUMBERING OF BALLOTS. (a) The ballots prepared by each authority responsible for having the official ballot prepared shall be numbered consecutively beginning with the number "1." (b) An official ballot may not be numbered using a device described by Section 31.014 or by a device that is connected, either directly or by a shared network, to a device described by Section 31.014. SECTION 2. Section 124.062, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: (d) Section 52.062 applies to electronic system ballots. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.