HB4288 - Relating to the administration of elections, including the public inspection of certain election records.

  89R15858 LRM-F     By: Plesa H.B. No. 4288       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the administration of elections, including the public   inspection of certain election records.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 1.006, Election Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 1.006.  EFFECT OF WEEKEND , [ OR ] HOLIDAY , OR FORCE   MAJEURE .          SECTION 2.  Sections 1.006(a) and (f), Election Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (a)  If the last day for performance of an act is a Saturday,   Sunday, or legal state or national holiday, or the performance of   the act is not possible because of an act of God, force majeure, or   similar cause beyond the control of the person performing the act,   the act is timely if performed on the next regular business day,   except as otherwise provided by this code.          (f)  In this code:                (1)   "Force majeure" means a major event or combination   of major events, including new or expanded state or federal   statutory or regulatory requirements;   hurricanes, tornadoes, ice   storms, or other natural disasters;   or acts of war, terrorism, or   civil disturbance, beyond the control of this state.                 (2)   "National holiday" means:                      (A)  a legal public holiday under 5 U.S.C. Section   6103; and                      (B)  if a holiday described by Paragraph (A)   occurs on a Saturday or Sunday, a holiday taken in lieu of that   holiday on which there is no regular United States mail delivery.                 (3)  [ (2) ]  "State holiday" means a state holiday under   Sections 662.003(b)(1) through (6), Government Code.          SECTION 3.  Section 1.007, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:           (c-1)     If a delivery, submission, or filing under this code   requires submission in person by a specific time, the delivery,   submission, or filing shall be accepted if the person or document   entered the office before the prescribed deadline.          SECTION 4.  Section 1.012, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (g) and adding Subsections (i) and (j) to read   as follows:          (g)  Beginning on the 300th [ 61st ] day after election day,   the general custodian of election records shall make available for   public inspection election records that are original voted ballots.           (i)     Notwithstanding Chapter 552, Government Code, the   following information is confidential and not subject to disclosure   under that chapter if the disclosure of the information would   violate the privacy of a voter's selections:                 (1)     information on an electronic poll list, including   any serial number or time stamp, indicating when a voter is accepted   at a polling place; or                 (2)     a voter's name and the ballot serial number   included on the register of spoiled ballots.           (j)     A custodian may withhold information described by   Subsection (i) without requesting a decision from the attorney   general under Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government Code.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.