Bill > HB999

This bill modifies Texas Election Code provisions related to public access to election records by removing previous restrictions and establishing new requirements for record availability. Under the revised law, election records must be made available to the public within 10 days of a request during regular business hours, and must be provided in an electronic format for a fee of up to $50 within 15 days after an election. The bill introduces two significant new provisions: first, by the 60th day after an election, the custodian of election records must make original voted ballots or ballot images available for public inspection, and second, the custodian must develop procedures to redact any personally identifiable voter information before making ballots available. The definition of "election records" is expanded to include anything created, distributed, or received by government related to elections, and the bill removes previous exceptions to record availability. These changes aim to increase transparency in the election process while protecting individual voter privacy. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB999