The bill amends the Government Code by adding a new subchapter that outlines the responsibilities of the Attorney General in prosecuting criminal offenses related to election laws in Texas. Specifically, it establishes that law enforcement agencies must report any probable cause of election-related offenses to both the local prosecuting attorney and the Attorney General. If six months pass without the local prosecutor initiating proceedings, the Attorney General is granted jurisdiction to prosecute the case. This new framework aims to ensure timely and effective prosecution of election law violations.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions in the Election Code, mandating that the Attorney General shall prosecute election law offenses as specified in the new subchapter. It also clarifies that the Attorney General may direct local prosecutors to assist in these prosecutions. The changes will only apply to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that prior offenses are governed by the laws in effect at the time they were committed.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 273.021, Election Code 273.022 (Election Code 273)