The bill, H.B. No. 1475, amends the Election Code to establish new requirements for courts when handling actions seeking temporary restraining orders related to election matters. It introduces a new section, 273.082, which mandates that courts must electronically notify the attorney general of a hearing regarding a temporary restraining order as soon as practicable before the hearing takes place. Additionally, the bill stipulates that a court cannot hold the hearing sooner than two hours after providing this notice, unless the attorney general waives this requirement. The attorney general is also granted the right to participate remotely in such hearings.
Furthermore, the bill specifies that the attorney general must designate an email address for receiving notifications, and it declares that any temporary restraining order issued without adhering to these new notice requirements will be considered void and unenforceable. The changes aim to enhance oversight and ensure that the attorney general is informed and able to participate in significant election-related legal proceedings. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.
Statutes affected: Introduced: ()
House Committee Report: ()