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, who will have jurisdiction to prosecute these offenses. 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 language in the Election Code, clarifying that the attorney general has the jurisdiction to prosecute election law offenses and may direct local prosecutors to assist in these cases. The changes apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, 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 legislative session concludes.

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)