The bill amends the Government Code by adding a new Subchapter E, which establishes the attorney general's duty to prosecute criminal offenses related to election laws in Texas. It specifies that law enforcement agencies must report any probable cause findings regarding election-related offenses to the attorney general and provide requested information to assist in prosecutions. The attorney general is granted jurisdiction to prosecute these offenses and is required to represent the state in such cases.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions in the Election Code to clarify the attorney general's prosecutorial authority. It replaces the language that previously allowed the attorney general to prosecute with a mandate that the attorney general "shall" represent the state in these matters. The bill also allows the attorney general to direct local prosecutors to assist in these prosecutions. The changes apply only to offenses committed after the bill's effective date, ensuring that prior offenses are governed by the law in effect at the time they were committed.

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