HB219 - Relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify eligibility to vote in Texas.

      By: Landgraf H.B. No. 219       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify   eligibility to vote in Texas.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 13.002, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to   read as follows:          (a)  A person desiring to register to vote must submit an   application and proof of citizenship as required under Subsection   (a-1) to the registrar of the county in which the person resides.   Except as provided by Subsection (e), an application must be   submitted by personal delivery, by mail, or by telephonic facsimile   machine in accordance with Sections 13.143(d) and (d-2).           (a-1)     An applicant submitting a registration application   must present proof that the applicant is a United States citizen to:                 (1)     the registrar, if the application is submitted by   personal delivery; or                 (2)     a Department of Public Safety employee at the   department's office, if the application is submitted by mail or by   telephonic facsimile machine.           (a-2)     For purposes of Subsection (a-1), the applicant shall   present any of the following:                 (1)     the applicant's Texas driver's license that is   compliant with the federal REAL ID program;                 (2)     the applicant's Texas identification card that is   compliant with the federal REAL ID program;                 (3)     an original or certified copy of the applicant's   birth certificate;                 (4)     the applicant's unexpired United States passport   or card;                 (5)     the applicant's certificate of naturalization   issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services;   or                 (6)     the applicant's certificate of citizenship issued   by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 13.0022 to read as follows:           Sec.   13.0022.     NOTICE TO PRESENT PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP FOR   APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY MAIL OR BY TELEPHONIC FACSIMILE MACHINE.     (a)   This section applies only to a registration application   submitted by mail or by telephonic facsimile machine that does not   include proof that the applicant is a United States citizen.           (b)     On receipt of a registration application, the registrar   shall transmit a notice to the applicant of the requirements of   Section 13.002 (a-1) and Section 13.002 (a-2) and include   instructions to enable the applicant to satisfy those requirements.          SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to an application for voter registration submitted on or after the   effective date of this Act.  An application for voter registration   submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the   law in effect when the application was submitted, and the former law   is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.