Monitoring the SessionSB 309
Died in committee
The proof-of-citizenship rule applies only as far as the federal registration law and the cited Supreme Court case allow. The bill's own Section 2, which asks the federal commission to change the federal form, signals that federal-form applicants may not be covered until federal action happens.
The holeInitial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify eligibility to vote in Texas.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Texas asks the feds to change their form. No action in 180 days? The attorney general sues.
The bill says a person registering to vote in Texas must submit proof of citizenship, and it orders the secretary of state to write rules requiring that proof, but only to the extent federal law and a named U.S. Supreme Court case allow. It also orders the secretary of state to ask the federal Election Assistance Commission by January 1, 2026, to add a proof-of-citizenship requirement to the federal mail registration form. If the commission does not act within 180 days, the attorney general must sue, so any real change depends on federal limits and a federal agency or court.
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R SB 1600 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R SB 1600 (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the Senate State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
89R-SB309 · 2024-11-12
+ 1 coauthor
relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify eligibility to vote in Texas.
Texas asks the feds to change their form. No action in 180 days? The attorney general sues.
The bill says a person registering to vote in Texas must submit proof of citizenship, and it orders the secretary of state to write rules requiring that proof, but only to the extent federal law and a named U.S. Supreme Court case allow. It also orders the secretary of state to ask the federal Election Assistance Commission by January 1, 2026, to add a proof-of-citizenship requirement to the federal mail registration form. If the commission does not act within 180 days, the attorney general must sue, so any real change depends on federal limits and a federal agency or court.
[x] THE HOLEanalysis confidence 55%
The proof-of-citizenship rule applies only as far as the federal registration law and the cited Supreme Court case allow. The bill's own Section 2, which asks the federal commission to change the federal form, signals that federal-form applicants may not be covered until federal action happens.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
THE TEXT
…“the secretary of state shall request that the federal Election”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The main concrete action is a request to a federal agency and a possible lawsuit, while the state rule is limited by federal law, so registration may change little in the near term.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 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.
$250,000.00
Also funds 2 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 17, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 17, 2025 to Oct 15, 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: 101028838, 101071548.
$100,000.00
Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · on Sep 4, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Derived itemized flow · on Sep 4, 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: 101067724.
$100,000.00
Also funds 32 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Feb 20, 2026 to Oct 14, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on Oct 13, 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: 101071548.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$250,000.00
Also funds 2 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 17, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 17, 2025 to Oct 15, 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: 101028838, 101071548.
$100,000.00
Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · on Sep 4, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Derived itemized flow · on Sep 4, 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: 101067724.
$100,000.00
Also funds 32 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Feb 20, 2026 to Oct 14, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on Oct 13, 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: 101071548.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
by Sen. Hughes, same lead author · Died in committee · same text
Introduced textLast action, Apr 24, 2023: Referred to Elections
Relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify eligibility to vote in Texas.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas Senate · Filed Nov 12, 2024
02/03/2025 S Referred to State Affairs
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
HB 1312 by Hickland (very similar)
HB 1670 by Leach (identical)
Aliens
Elections--Registration & Suffrage
FEDERAL RELATIONS
ATTORNEY GENERAL
SECRETARY OF STATE
The text as introduced · 283 words
89R5307 LRM-F By: Hughes S.B. No. 309 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify eligibility to vote in Texas. 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 follows: (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 eligibility. 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.
