TITLE: Relating to preparing and delivering precinct election returns; increasing a criminal penalty.

SUMMARY: Relating to preparing and delivering precinct election returns; increasing a criminal penalty.

FULL TEXT:
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.