S.B. No. 12 amends the Government Code by adding Subchapter E, which establishes the attorney general's duty to prosecute criminal offenses related to election laws in Texas. The new provisions specify that law enforcement agencies must report any probable cause of election-related criminal offenses to the attorney general and provide requested information to assist in investigations. The attorney general is granted jurisdiction to prosecute these offenses and represent the state in such cases.
Additionally, the bill modifies existing language in the Election Code to clarify the attorney general's prosecutorial authority over election law violations. It emphasizes that the attorney general shall represent the state in these prosecutions and allows for cooperation with local prosecutors. 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)
Senate Committee Report: Election Code 273.021, Election Code 273.022 (Election Code 273)
Engrossed: Election Code 273.021, Election Code 273.022 (Election Code 273)
House Committee Report: Election Code 273.021, Election Code 273.022 (Election Code 273)
Enrolled: Election Code 273.021, Election Code 273.022 (Election Code 273)