H.B. No. 5337 amends the Election Code in Texas to require proof of citizenship for individuals registering to vote. The bill mandates that applicants submit specific documents, such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship papers, to verify their citizenship status. It also allows applicants to provide proof of citizenship to the Department of Public Safety. Volunteer deputy registrars are tasked with informing applicants about the necessity of this proof and the consequences of failing to provide it, which includes being limited to voting only a federal ballot. The bill outlines the responsibilities of registrars in verifying citizenship status and introduces penalties for non-compliance, ensuring that if an application lacks proof, registrars must verify citizenship within a specified timeframe.

Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of State and county registrars to provide the attorney general with lists of registered voters who have not submitted proof of citizenship, allowing for further verification. It establishes a "limited federal ballot" category for voters whose citizenship is unverified, permitting them to vote only for federal offices. Key provisions include a detailed list of acceptable documents for proving citizenship, a notation system for unverified voters, and procedures for handling limited federal ballots. The bill also mandates that notices regarding ballot counting must inform voters about their citizenship verification status. The Secretary of State is required to adopt rules for these changes, and by January 1, 2026, will request modifications to mail voter registration applications to include proof of citizenship. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 13.002, Election Code 13.072, Election Code 13.121, Election Code 13.122, Election Code 15.021, Election Code 111.001 (Election Code 13, Election Code 15, Election Code 111)
House Committee Report: Election Code 13.002, Election Code 13.072, Election Code 13.121, Election Code 13.122, Election Code 15.021, Election Code 111.001 (Election Code 13, Election Code 15, Election Code 111)