87(R) HB 478 - House Committee Report version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to accommodating a voter unable to enter a polling place. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Section 64.009, Election Code, is amended by |
 
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adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows: |
 
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             (e)    An election officer shall designate a parking space at |
 
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each polling place for voting under this section. The parking space |
 
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may not be one designated specifically for persons with |
 
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disabilities. The parking space must be clearly marked with a sign: |
 
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                         (1)    indicating that the space is reserved for use by a |
 
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voter who is unable to enter the polling place; and |
 
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                         (2)    displaying, in large font that is clearly readable |
 
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from a vehicle, a telephone number that a voter may call or text to |
 
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request assistance from an election officer at the polling place. |
 
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             (f)    As an alternative to displaying a telephone number under |
 
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Subsection (e)(2), a parking space may comply with the requirements |
 
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of this section by providing the voter with a button or intercom |
 
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that the voter may use to request assistance from an election |
 
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officer. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Section 104.004(e), Election Code, is amended to |
 
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read as follows: |
 
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             (e)    If the voter is physically unable to enter the early |
 
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voting polling place without personal assistance or a likelihood of |
 
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injuring the voter's health, the clerk shall deliver the balloting |
 
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materials to the voter at the polling place entrance or curb |
 
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following the procedures prescribed by Section 64.009. |
 
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             SECTION  3.    This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
 
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
 
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.    If this |
 
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
 
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |