Bill > SB12

This bill clarifies and expands the Attorney General's role in prosecuting election law criminal offenses in Texas. Specifically, it establishes a new subchapter in the Government Code that requires law enforcement agencies to submit reports to the Attorney General when there is probable cause to believe an election law crime has been committed, and mandates that local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies provide any requested information to assist the Attorney General. The bill changes the Attorney General's prosecutorial authority from a discretionary power to a mandatory duty, explicitly stating that the Attorney General has jurisdiction to prosecute and must represent the state in criminal offenses related to election laws. Additionally, the Attorney General retains the ability to direct county or district attorneys to prosecute these offenses or assist in their prosecution. The changes will only apply to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date, which is 91 days after the end of the legislative session. This legislation appears designed to centralize and strengthen enforcement of election law violations at the state level by giving the Attorney General a more definitive prosecutorial role.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=SB12