Verdict: No flags
No flags Initial review
Rep. Mano DeAyala R House 133
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 restrictions on political activities of a county
elections administrator.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary New appointees after September 1, 2025. Current ones keep the old rules.
The bill adds a new limit on county elections administrators: they may not hold any other office or position appointed by an elected official. It touches people appointed as county elections administrators after September 1, 2025, while current administrators keep working under the old rules. An administrator who accepts such an appointed post loses the elections job on the spot, just as under existing law for running for office or holding a party post.
Receipt
The receipt 89R-HB677 · 2024-11-12
ITEM relating to the restrictions on political activities of a county
elections administrator.
WHAT IT DOES New appointees after September 1, 2025. Current ones keep the old rules.
The bill adds a new limit on county elections administrators: they may not hold any other office or position appointed by an elected official. It touches people appointed as county elections administrators after September 1, 2025, while current administrators keep working under the old rules. An administrator who accepts such an appointed post loses the elections job on the spot, just as under existing law for running for office or holding a party post.
TOTAL No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version E · May 9, 2025
No first-year general revenue figure available here.
LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.
Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
HISTORY Nov 12, 2024 Filed Mar 4, 2025 Read first time Mar 4, 2025 Referred to Elections Mar 13, 2025 Scheduled for public hearing on . . . Mar 13, 2025 Considered in public hearing Mar 13, 2025 Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee Mar 13, 2025 Left pending in committee Mar 20, 2025 Considered in public hearing Mar 20, 2025 Reported favorably w/o amendment(s) Mar 25, 2025 Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator Mar 25, 2025 Committee report distributed Mar 25, 2025 Committee report sent to Calendars Apr 17, 2025 Considered in Calendars Apr 30, 2025 Considered in Calendars May 2, 2025 Placed on General State Calendar May 5, 2025 Read 2nd time May 5, 2025 Passed to engrossment May 6, 2025 Read 3rd time May 6, 2025 Passed May 6, 2025 Record vote RV#1401 May 6, 2025 Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal May 6, 2025 Reported engrossed May 6, 2025 Received from the House May 7, 2025 Read first time May 7, 2025 Referred to State Affairs May 12, 2025 Scheduled for public hearing on . . . May 12, 2025 Considered in public hearing May 12, 2025 Left pending in committee May 13, 2025 Considered in public hearing May 13, 2025 Vote taken in committee May 15, 2025 Reported favorably w/o amendments May 15, 2025 Recommended for local & uncontested calendar May 15, 2025 Committee report printed and distributed May 16, 2025 Placed on intent calendar May 19, 2025 Rules suspended-Regular order of business May 19, 2025 Vote recorded in Journal May 19, 2025 Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading May 19, 2025 Vote recorded in Journal May 19, 2025 Three day rule suspended May 19, 2025 Record vote May 19, 2025 Read 3rd time May 19, 2025 Passed May 19, 2025 Record vote May 20, 2025 Senate passage reported May 20, 2025 Reported enrolled May 21, 2025 Signed in the House May 21, 2025 Signed in the Senate May 22, 2025 Sent to the Governor Jun 20, 2025 Signed by the Governor Jun 20, 2025 Effective on 9/1/25 FILED UNDER SIGNED FOR BY House · 144 yea · 2 nay
Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay
Sources House: Final passage · May 6, 2025. Journal . Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
Senate: Final passage · May 19, 2025. Journal . Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
All floor motions and other positions below.
No flags
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 · Jul 17, 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.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC $865,510.35 Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC $865,510.35
Cash $50,000.00
Paid by others $815,510.35
Total $865,510.35 advertising $805,200.00 polling $10,310.35
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
Team Sources Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 22, 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: 101009776, 101017937, 101062872, 101069959, 101072290.
Texas Conservative Majority PAC $305,800.00 Texas Conservative Majority PAC $305,800.00
Cash $75,000.00
Paid by others $230,800.00
Total $305,800.00 canvassing $175,000.00 advertising $50,000.00 polling $5,800.00
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.
Team Sources 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: 101069959, 101072290.
Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund $271,400.04 Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund $271,400.04
Cash $0.00
Paid by others $271,400.04
Total $271,400.04 advertising $136,000.00 mailers $70,417.04 television $30,000.00 polling $16,400.00 Other filed descriptions $10,583.00 digital $8,000.00
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.
Team Sources Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 22, 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: 101009776, 101069959, 101072290.
Money Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
× Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC $865,510.35
Cash $50,000.00
Paid by others $815,510.35
Total $865,510.35 advertising $805,200.00 polling $10,310.35
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
Team Sources Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 22, 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: 101009776, 101017937, 101062872, 101069959, 101072290.
× Texas Conservative Majority PAC $305,800.00
Cash $75,000.00
Paid by others $230,800.00
Total $305,800.00 canvassing $175,000.00 advertising $50,000.00 polling $5,800.00
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.
Team Sources 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: 101069959, 101072290.
× Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund $271,400.04
Cash $0.00
Paid by others $271,400.04
Total $271,400.04 advertising $136,000.00 mailers $70,417.04 television $30,000.00 polling $16,400.00 Other filed descriptions $10,583.00 digital $8,000.00
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.
Team Sources Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 22, 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: 101009776, 101069959, 101072290.
Votes4
Senate May 19, 2025
Yea 30
Nay 1
Present, not voting Not printed
Absent Not printed
Excused Not printed
Names
Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.
Senate journal
Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.
Sources
The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: 30 (published) Nay: 1 (published) Present, not voting: Not printed Absent: Not printed Excused: Not printed Senate journal . Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
Senate May 19, 2025
Yea 30
Nay 1
Present, not voting Not printed
Absent Not printed
Excused Not printed
Names
Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.
Senate journal
Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.
Sources
Senator Bettencourt moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 677 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: 30 (published) Nay: 1 (published) Present, not voting: Not printed Absent: Not printed Excused: Not printed Senate journal . Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
Senate May 19, 2025
Yea Not printed
Nay Not printed
Present, not voting Not printed
Absent Not printed
Excused Not printed
Names
Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.
Senate journal
Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.
Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.
Sources
Senator Bettencourt moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 677 at this time on its second reading: HB 677, Relating to the restrictions on political activities of a county elections administrator. The motion prevailed. Senator Miles asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business. The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: Not printed Nay: Not printed Present, not voting: Not printed Absent: Not printed Excused: Not printed Senate journal . Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
House May 6, 2025
Yea 144
Nay 2
Present, not voting 2
Absent 2
Excused 0
Names
Davis, A. Yea Louderback Yea Schoolcraft Yea Allen Yea Hernandez Yea Rodríguez Ramos Yea Hopper Yea Orr Yea Button Yea Johnson Yea Martinez Yea Walle Yea Gervin-Hawkins Yea Bumgarner Yea Buckley Yea Money Yea Harrison Yea Cain Yea Landgraf Yea Noble Yea Tepper Yea Fairly Yea Harris Davila Yea Isaac Yea Garcia Hernandez Yea Bell, C. Yea Ward Johnson Yea Cunningham Yea Geren Yea Turner Yea Manuel Yea Morales, C. Yea Ordaz Yea Harris Yea Vasut Yea Hefner Yea Phelan Yea Alders Yea Cook Yea Lowe Yea Spiller Yea Villalobos Yea Paul Yea Bernal Yea McLaughlin Yea Howard Yea Darby Yea Mr. Speaker Present, not voting Morales, E. Yea Campos Yea Troxclair Yea Gámez Yea Zwiener Yea Gates Yea VanDeaver Yea Wu Yea Hinojosa Yea Capriglione Yea Bonnen Yea Dutton Nay Kerwin Yea Hickland Yea Vo Yea Lozano Yea Frank Yea Talarico Yea Lopez, J. Yea Holt Yea Patterson Yea Dean Yea Barry Yea Leach Yea González, J. Yea Shofner Yea Moody(C) Present, not voting Bryant Yea Bucy Yea Lujan Yea McQueeney Yea Smithee Yea Jones, J. Yea Rosenthal Yea Garcia, J. Yea Pierson Yea Bell, K. Yea King Yea Richardson Yea Hull Yea Simmons Absent Garcia, L. Yea Flores Yea DeAyala Yea LaHood Yea Dorazio Yea Perez, M. Yea González, M. Yea Morgan Yea Shaheen Yea Plesa Yea Olcott Yea Schofield Absent Little Yea Meyer Yea Schatzline Yea Collier Yea Longoria Yea Curry Yea Dyson Yea Morales Shaw Yea Cortez Yea Guerra Yea Anchía Yea Romero Yea Lopez, R. Yea Bowers Yea Hayes Yea Raymond Yea Reynolds Yea Guillen Yea Bhojani Yea Harless Yea Thompson Nay Muñoz Yea Slawson Yea Luther Yea Cole Yea Gerdes Yea Kitzman Yea Lambert Yea Toth Yea Lalani Yea Leo Wilson Yea Canales Yea Wilson Yea Meza Yea Hunter Yea Craddick Yea Oliverson Yea Rose Yea Tinderholt Yea Ashby Yea Martinez Fischer Yea Wharton Yea Swanson Yea Jones, V. Yea Goodwin Yea Perez, V. Yea Virdell Yea Metcalf Yea Davis, Y. Yea Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.
House journal
Sources
Record 1401
HB 677 was passed by (Record 1401): 144 Yeas, 2 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: 144 (published) Nay: 2 (published) Present, not voting: 2 (published) Absent: 2 (derived from named list) Excused: 0 (derived from named list) House journal . Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
Witnesses8
For 5
Against 1
On 2
Names
For
Secure Democracy USA 1 registration Self 2 registrations The Texas Association of County Election Officials 1 registration True Texas Elections 1 registration
Against
On
Secretary of State 1 registration Texas Secretary of State 1 registration
Sources
8 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.
Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.
House witness list . Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.
Senate witness list . Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.
Fiscal No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version E · May 9, 2025
No first-year general revenue figure available here.
LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.
Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
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 Nov 12, 2024
06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Sponsors House committee · Elections · Committee vote 8 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee
Senate committee · State Affairs · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee
Companion SB 2819 by Bettencourt (identical)
Subjects Elections--Administration
Elections--Election Officers
Elections--General
Text The text as introduced · 210 words
89R3657 MPF-F
By: DeAyala
H.B. No. 677
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the restrictions on political activities of a county
elections administrator.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 31.035(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) A county elections administrator may not be a candidate
for a public office or an office of a political party, hold a public
office, [ or ] hold an office of or position in a political party , or
hold another office or position appointed by an elected official .
At the time an administrator becomes a candidate or accepts an
office or position in violation of this subsection, the
administrator vacates the position of administrator.
SECTION 2. Section 31.035(a), Election Code, as amended by
this Act, applies only to the appointment of a county elections
administrator that occurs on or after the effective date of this
Act. A person who is serving as county elections administrator
immediately before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act,
and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Monitoring 
