HB3827 - Relating to unlawful solicitation and distribution of a voter registration application; creating a criminal offense.

  89R5828 MPF-D     By: Dyson H.B. No. 3827       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to unlawful solicitation and distribution of a voter   registration application; creating a criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 276, Election Code, is amended by adding   Section 276.0175 to read as follows:           Sec.   276.0175.     UNLAWFUL SOLICITATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF   VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION. (a) A public official or election   official commits an offense if the official, while acting in an   official capacity, knowingly:                 (1)     solicits the submission of a voter registration   application from a person who did not request an application;                 (2)     distributes a voter registration application to a   person who did not request the application, except as the   distribution is authorized by Chapter 13, Chapter 20, or another   provision of this code;                 (3)     authorizes or approves the expenditure of public   funds to facilitate third-party distribution of a voter   registration application to a person who did not request the   application; or                 (4)     completes any portion of a voter registration   application and distributes the application to an applicant.           (b)     Subsection (a)(2) does not apply if the public official   or election official engaged in the conduct described by that   subdivision by providing access to a voter registration application   from a publicly accessible Internet website.           (c)     Subsection (a) does not apply if a public official or   election official:                 (1)     provides general information about applying to   register to vote, the voter registration process, or the timeliness   of applying to register to vote to a person or the public; or                 (2)     engages in conduct described by Subsection (a)   while acting in the official's capacity as a candidate for public   elective office.           (d)  An offense under this section is a state jail felony.           (e)     A remedy provided under this section is cumulative, and   does not restrict any other remedies provided by this code or by   law.   A violation of this section is subject to injunctive relief or   mandamus as provided by this code.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.