The bill amends the Government Code by adding a new Subchapter D, which establishes the attorney general's duty to prosecute criminal offenses related to election laws in Texas. It specifies that law enforcement agencies must submit reports of probable cause to both local prosecuting attorneys and the attorney general. If six months pass without the local prosecutor initiating proceedings, the attorney general is granted jurisdiction to prosecute the offense. Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions in the Election Code, mandating that the attorney general shall prosecute such offenses as outlined in the new subchapter.

Key changes include the attorney general's obligation to prosecute election law offenses, as opposed to the previous discretionary authority, and the requirement for cooperation between local prosecutors and the attorney general. The bill also clarifies that these changes apply only to offenses committed after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

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