Bill > HB5258

This bill establishes the Barbara Jordan Texas Voting Rights Act, a comprehensive legislative framework designed to protect voting rights and prevent racial discrimination in elections across Texas. The bill creates a new Texas Voting Rights Act Commission (TXVRA Commission) as an independent, nonpartisan state agency responsible for overseeing voting rights protections. The commission will have five commissioners selected through a detailed nomination process, with specific qualifications including legal experience and advocacy for protected class members. The bill prohibits voter suppression and vote dilution by preventing local governments from implementing election policies that could materially reduce voting opportunities for protected class members, which are defined as racial, color, or language minority groups. It establishes a preclearance process requiring certain local governments with histories of discrimination to get approval from the TXVRA Commission before changing election policies. The bill also mandates language access provisions, creates a statewide voting and elections database, establishes a voter education fund, and provides robust legal remedies for addressing voting rights violations, including the ability to seek injunctions, modify election methods, and receive attorneys' fees. Additionally, the bill broadens legal standing to allow individuals and organizations to challenge discriminatory voting practices and includes detailed guidelines for evaluating potential voting rights violations, emphasizing a liberal interpretation aimed at protecting voters' fundamental rights.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5258