HB1477 - Relating to preparing and delivering precinct election returns; increasing a criminal penalty.

  89R2059 MPF-D     By: Swanson H.B. No. 1477       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to preparing and delivering precinct election returns;   increasing a criminal penalty.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 65.014(e), Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (e)  An offense under Subsection (d) is a Class A [ B ]   misdemeanor.          SECTION 2.  Section 66.055, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 66.055.   FAILURE TO DELIVER [ JUDICIAL IMPOUNDMENT OF ]   ELECTION RECORDS.  (a)  If the precinct election records are not   delivered by the deadline prescribed by Section 66.053(c) :                 (1)     the secretary of state may supervise the   activities necessary to complete the count, prepare the precinct   returns, and distribute the records; or                 (2) [ , ] on application by a member of the canvassing   authority, a district judge shall order the precinct election   records to be impounded.          (b)   If the precinct election records are impounded under   Subsection (a)(2), the [ The ] district judge shall supervise the   activities necessary to complete the count, prepare the precinct   returns, and distribute the records.          SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act in amending   Section 65.014(e), Election Code, applies only to an offense   committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense   committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the   law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former   law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this   section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this   Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.