S.B. No. 12 amends the Government Code and the Election Code to clarify the responsibilities of the Texas Attorney General regarding the prosecution of criminal offenses related to election laws. A new Subchapter E is added to Chapter 402, establishing that the Attorney General has jurisdiction to prosecute such offenses and must represent the state in these cases. Law enforcement agencies are required to report any probable cause findings to the Attorney General, and local prosecuting attorneys must provide requested information to assist in these prosecutions.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions in the Election Code to affirm the Attorney General's jurisdiction to prosecute election-related offenses and to allow for cooperation with local prosecutors. The changes apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, ensuring that any offenses occurring prior to this date are governed by the previous law. 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)
Senate Committee Report: Election Code 273.021, Election Code 273.022 (Election Code 273)