The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to enhance the prosecution of election offenses in Texas. It introduces new provisions that allow a judge to appoint an assistant attorney general to take over the duties of a disqualified district or county attorney in cases involving election law violations. Specifically, if an attorney is disqualified due to a policy of consistently refusing to prosecute election law violations, the judge must appoint an assistant attorney general to handle the case. Additionally, the bill allows residents to file petitions to disqualify a district or county attorney based on similar grounds, ensuring that election law violations are prosecuted effectively.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that the attorney general can prosecute election law offenses when a district or county attorney is disqualified or when a case is referred to them. This aims to ensure that election offenses are addressed promptly and fairly, reinforcing the integrity of the electoral process in Texas. The changes made by this Act will only apply to offenses committed after its effective date, preserving the application of previous laws for offenses committed before that time.

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