COCOA Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-6513
Sponsor: Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]
Introduced: 2023-11-30 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-11-30
text: 

Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2023 or the COCOA Act of 

2023

This bill provides statutory authority for designated congressional election observers. 
Designated congressional election observe
r refers to an employee of the House of Representatives who is designated in writing by the chair or ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration to gather information with respect to an election, including in the event that the election is contested in the House and for other purposes permitted by Article I, Section 5, clause 1 and Article I, Section 4, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.

The bill requires states to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to clearly observe all elements of administration procedures of federal elections, including access to any area in which a ballot is cast, processed, scanned, tabulated, canvassed, recounted, audited, or certified, including during pre- and post-election procedures.

The bill prohibits such an observer from handling ballots or election equipment, advocating for a position or candidate, taking any action to reduce ballot secrecy or voter privacy, taking any action to interfere with the ability of a voter to cast a ballot or an election administrator to carry out the administrator's duties, or otherwise interfering with the election administration process.

The bill specifies the conduct for which designated congressional election observers may be removed by election officials. In the event of removal, the election official must provide written notice to the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration.
 
action_date: 2024-01-29
text: 

Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2023 or the COCOA Act of 

2023

This bill provides statutory authority for designated congressional election observers. 
Designated congressional election observe
r refers to an employee of the House of Representatives who is designated in writing by the chair or ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration to gather information with respect to an election, including in the event that the election is contested in the House and for other purposes permitted by Article I, Section 5, clause 1 and Article I, Section 4, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.

The bill requires states to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to clearly observe all elements of administration procedures of federal elections, including access to any area in which a ballot is cast, processed, scanned, tabulated, canvassed, recounted, audited, or certified, including during pre- and post-election procedures.

The bill prohibits such an observer from handling ballots or election equipment, advocating for a position or candidate, taking any action to reduce ballot secrecy or voter privacy, taking any action to interfere with the ability of a voter to cast a ballot or an election administrator to carry out the administrator's duties, or otherwise interfering with the election administration process.

The bill specifies the conduct for which designated congressional election observers may be removed by election officials. In the event of removal, the election official must provide written notice to the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration.
 
action_date: 2024-10-04
text: 

Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2024 or the COCOA Act of 

2024

This act provides statutory authority for designated congressional election observers. 
Designated congressional election observe
r refers to an employee of the House of Representatives or the Senate who is designated in writing by the chair or ranking minority member of the House Committee on House Administration or the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to gather information with respect to an election, including in the event that the election is contested in the House or the Senate and for other purposes permitted by Article I, Section 5, clause 1 and Article I, Section 4, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.

The act requires states to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to clearly observe all elements of administration procedures of federal elections, including access to any area in which a ballot is cast, processed, scanned, tabulated, canvassed, recounted, audited, or certified, including during pre- and post-election procedures.

The act prohibits such an observer from handling ballots or election equipment, advocating for a position or candidate, taking any action to reduce ballot secrecy or voter privacy, taking any action to interfere with the ability of a voter to cast a ballot or an election administrator to carry out the administrator's duties, or otherwise interfering with the election administration process.

The act specifies the conduct for which designated congressional election observers may be removed by election officials. In the event of removal, the election official must, within 24 hours of the observer's removal, provide written notice to the chair and ranking minority member of the House Committee on House Administration or the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-10-04
text: Became Public Law No: 118-106.
action_date: 2024-10-04
text: Became Public Law No: 118-106.
action_date: 2024-10-04
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2024-10-04
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2024-10-01
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2024-10-01
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 449). (text: CR H5791)
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 449). (text: CR H5791)
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6513 - "An Act to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to confirm the requirement that States allow access to designated congressional election observers to observe the election administration procedures in congressional elections." (consideration: CR H5800)
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 6513.
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Mr. Steil moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H5791-5792)
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Senate Committee on Rules and Administration discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Senate Committee on Rules and Administration discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-09-10
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5049-5050)
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5049-5050)
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6513.
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5049-5051)
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Mr. Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2024-01-29
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 296.
action_date: 2024-01-29
text: Reported by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 118-361.
action_date: 2024-01-29
text: Reported by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 118-361.
action_date: 2023-11-30
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2023-11-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2023-11-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2023-11-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-11-30
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 118-106