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Bill > HB5337


TX HB5337

TX HB5337
Relating to requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote; creating criminal offenses.


summary

Introduced
03/14/2025
In Committee
04/28/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/02/2025

Introduced Session

89th Legislature Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT relating to requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote; creating criminal offenses.

AI Summary

This bill adds extensive new requirements for voter registration in Texas, focusing on verifying citizenship status. Specifically, individuals seeking to register to vote must now submit proof of citizenship through documents like a U.S. passport, birth certificate, citizenship papers, or immigration identification. Voter registrars will be required to verify citizenship through multiple government databases, and if unable to confirm citizenship, the applicant will only be permitted to cast a limited federal ballot that only counts for U.S. Senate and House races. The bill creates criminal penalties for knowingly registering non-citizens to vote, with violations classified as state jail felonies. Additionally, the bill mandates that the secretary of state review the citizenship status of existing voter registrations by December 1, 2025, and requires registrars to mark voters whose citizenship cannot be verified with an "F" notation, limiting them to federal-only ballots. The attorney general is tasked with investigating potential non-citizen voter registrations and can prosecute such cases if local authorities do not act within 180 days. The new requirements will take effect on September 1, 2025, and the secretary of state is directed to develop implementation rules and seek federal modification of voter registration forms to align with the new state requirements.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (57)

Carrie Isaac (R)* Daniel Alders (R),  Trent Ashby (R),  Jeffrey Barry (R),  Cecil Bell (R),  Keith Bell (R),  Ben Bumgarner (R),  Briscoe Cain (R),  David Cook (R),  Charles Cunningham (R),  Pat Curry (R),  Drew Darby (R),  Jay Dean (R),  Mano DeAyala (R),  Mark Dorazio (R),  James Frank (R),  Gary Gates (R),  Stan Gerdes (R),  Ryan Guillen (R),  Cody Harris (R),  Richard Hayes (R),  Cole Hefner (R),  Hillary Hickland (R),  Todd Hunter (R),  Helen Kerwin (R),  Marc LaHood (R),  Brooks Landgraf (R),  Terri Leo-Wilson (R),  Mitch Little (R),  Janie Lopez (R),  A.J. Louderback (R),  John Lujan (R),  Shelley Luther (R),  Don McLaughlin (R),  Will Metcalf (R),  Morgan Meyer (R),  Brent Money (R),  Tom Oliverson (R),  Angelia Orr (R),  Jared Patterson (R),  Dennis Paul (R),  Katrina Pierson (R),  Keresa Richardson (R),  Joanne Shofner (R),  Shelby Slawson (R),  John Smithee (R),  David Spiller (R),  Valoree Swanson (R),  Carl Tepper (R),  Tony Tinderholt (R),  Steve Toth (R),  Gary VanDeaver (R),  Cody Vasut (R),  Denise Villalobos (R),  Wesley Virdell (R),  Trey Wharton (R),  Terry Wilson (R), 

Last Action

Committee report sent to Calendars (on 05/07/2025)

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