Bill > HB12

This bill expands the Attorney General's authority and responsibility to prosecute election-related criminal offenses in Texas. Specifically, the bill creates a new subchapter in the Government Code requiring law enforcement agencies to submit reports to the Attorney General when there is probable cause to believe an election law criminal offense has occurred. Local prosecutors and law enforcement must also provide any requested information to assist the Attorney General. The bill changes the language from the Attorney General having the option to prosecute election crimes to having a mandatory jurisdiction to prosecute these offenses. Additionally, the Attorney General can direct county or district attorneys to prosecute or assist in prosecuting election-related criminal offenses. 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 aimed at strengthening state-level enforcement of election laws by giving the Attorney General more direct and mandatory prosecution powers for election-related criminal offenses.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=HB12