87(R) HB 595 - Introduced version - Bill Text

	87R1059 ADM-D
	By:  Sherman, Sr.	H.B.  No.  595

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to qualifications and registration of certain voters
	convicted of a felony.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION  1.    Section 11.002(a), Election Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(a)    In this code, "qualified voter" means a person who:
	(1)    is 18 years of age or older;
	(2)    is a United States citizen;
	(3)    has not been determined by a final judgment of a
	court exercising probate jurisdiction to be:
	(A)    totally mentally incapacitated; or
	(B)    partially mentally incapacitated without the
	right to vote;
	(4)    has not been finally convicted of a felony or, if
	so convicted, is not currently incarcerated for that offense [has:
	[(A)    fully discharged the person's sentence,
	including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or
	completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or
	[(B)    been pardoned or otherwise released from the
	resulting disability to vote];
	(5)    is a resident of this state; and
	(6)    is a registered voter.
	SECTION  2.    Section 13.001(a), Election Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(a)    To be eligible for registration as a voter in this
	state, a person must:
	(1)    be 18 years of age or older;
	(2)    be a United States citizen;
	(3)    not have been determined by a final judgment of a
	court exercising probate jurisdiction to be:
	(A)    totally mentally incapacitated; or
	(B)    partially mentally incapacitated without the
	right to vote;
	(4)    not have been finally convicted of a felony or, if
	so convicted, must not currently be incarcerated for that offense
	[have:
	[(A)    fully discharged the person's sentence,
	including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or
	completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or
	[(B)    been pardoned or otherwise released from the
	resulting disability to vote]; and
	(5)    be a resident of the county in which application
	for registration is made.
	SECTION  3.    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, 2021.