HB509 - Relating to the authority of certain entities and individuals to prevent individuals from accessing private property for the purpose of registering voters or communicating political messages.

  89R1517 PRL-D     By: Bucy H.B. No. 509       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the authority of certain entities and individuals to   prevent individuals from accessing private property for the purpose   of registering voters or communicating political messages.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 276, Election Code, is amended by adding   Section 276.020 to read as follows:           Sec.   276.020.     DOOR-TO-DOOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND   POLITICAL MESSAGING.   (a) In this section, "residential unit"   includes a single-family house, a single-family house located in a   residential subdivision or housing development, an apartment, a   condominium, or another unit in a multifamily residential   structure.           (b)     Except as provided by Subsection (c), a political   subdivision, property owners'   association, homeowners'     association, or property manager may not adopt or enforce a rule,   order, ordinance, or policy that prevents an individual from   knocking on the front door of a residential unit, ringing the   doorbell of the unit, or leaving a pamphlet, flier, or other form of   written communication at the unit for the purpose of:                 (1)     assisting an occupant of the unit with registering   to vote; or                 (2)     communicating to an occupant of the unit support   or opposition for:                       (A)     a candidate for nomination or election to   public office or office of a political party;                       (B)  a political party; or                       (C)  a measure, as defined by Section 251.001.           (c)     A political subdivision, property owners' association,   homeowners' association, or property manager may adopt and enforce   a reasonable restriction on the time, place, or manner of an   activity described by Subsection (b).           (d)     A peace officer, as that term is described by Article   2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, or private party may not   prevent an individual from engaging in an activity described by   Subsection (b) unless the officer or party reasonably believes that   the activity poses a threat to a person or property or is in   violation of a statute, ordinance, order, rule, or policy.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.