The bill, H.B. No. 11, amends the Government Code and the Election Code to clarify the responsibilities of the Attorney General in prosecuting criminal offenses related to election laws in Texas. It introduces a new Subchapter E under Chapter 402, which establishes that the Attorney General has jurisdiction to prosecute such offenses and mandates law enforcement agencies to report any probable cause findings to the Attorney General. Additionally, local prosecuting attorneys and law enforcement agencies are required to provide information to assist the Attorney General in these prosecutions.

The bill also modifies existing provisions in the Election Code, specifying that the Attorney General "shall represent the state" in prosecuting election-related offenses, replacing the previous language that allowed for discretion. It further allows the Attorney General to direct local prosecutors in handling these cases. Importantly, the changes apply only to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date, ensuring that prior offenses are governed by the law in effect at the time they were committed. The Act is set to take effect 91 days after the conclusion of the legislative session.

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