HB999 - Relating to the public inspection of election records.

      By: Toth H.B. No. 999       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the public inspection of election records.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 1.012, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a), (d), and (e) and adding Subsections (f)   and (g) to read as follows:          (a)   An [ Subject to Subsection (b), an ] election record that   is public information shall be made available to the public during   the regular business hours of the record's custodian not later than   10 days after the date the custodian receives a request for public   inspection .          (d)  In this code, "election record" includes:                (1)  anything created, distributed , or received by   government under this code;                (2)  anything required by law to be kept by others for   information of government under this code; or                (3)  a certificate, application, notice, report, or   other document or paper issued , created, or received by government   under this code.          (e)   Except as provided by Subsection (f), an [ An ] election   record shall be available not later than the 15th day after election   day in an electronic format for a fee of not more than $50.           (f)     Not later than the 60th day after election day, the   general custodian of election records shall make available for   public inspection election records that are:                 (1)  original voted ballots; or                 (2)     images of voted ballots, if a county maintains   images of voted ballots.           (g)     The custodian shall adopt procedures to ensure the   redaction of any personally identifiable information of the voter   contained on a ballot before making the voted ballot available for   public inspection.          SECTION 2.  Section 1.012(b), Election Code, is repealed.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.