Thread by @lmcgaughy

Texas Senate has gaveled back in for their overnight debate on Senate Bill 7, the omnibus elections bill.

The bill has arguably gotten more national attention than any other legislation this session, the most conservative in recent memory.

dallasnews.com/news/politics/… #txlege #SB7

Read our story from earlier today on what's in the sweeping elections bill senators will debate tonight. Highlights:

- Impose uniform early voting hours statewide.
- Further empower partisan poll watchers.
- Make it easier to overturn elections.
dallasnews.com/news/politics/… #txlege

To watch the debate yourself, click here: senate.texas.gov/av-live.php

To read the elections bill in its entirety, click here: documentcloud.org/documents/2079…

To subscribe to the @dallasnews, click here: dmn.pub/LAURENM #txlege #SB7

@dallasnews FWIW, lawmakers are tired, y'all.

Just like for the rest of us, it's been a hellish year. This session was also a whirlwind marked by COVID and a late start due to the winter freeze.

Tempers are short. Folks are exhausted. @joanhuffman has lost her voice. Sine die is Monday.

@dallasnews @joanhuffman In the next 25.5 hours, the House and Senate have to give final approval to any remaining legislation that hasn't passed.

And there are some big items, most significantly the elections and energy grid bills. #txlege

@dallasnews @joanhuffman Here we go. Texas Senate is taking up Senate Bill 7, the sweeping elections bill.

Since the bill now includes totally new provisions, they have to pass a special resolution in order to debate it.

dallasnews.com/news/politics/… #txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman Reporters got copies of the elections bill this AM and spent hrs scouring over its provisions for stories.

Here's @alexazura's run down: texastribune.org/2021/05/29/tex…

@chucklindell: statesman.com/story/news/202…

@EllyDearman: star-telegram.com/news/politics-…

Mine: dallasnews.com/news/politics/… #txlege

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman Sen. @beverlypowelltx says there are 20 pages of additions to the elections bill that were not in any previous versions of the legislation.

Author @SenBryanHughes says some of the new provisions were stand alone bills now included in this legislation. #txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes “I could not in good faith vote to pass a bill the size of this one, that will affect the voting rights of every single Texan of voting age, when they’ve been deprived or the opportunity to voice their opinion," @beverlypowelltx, D-Burleson, says.

#txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes Now @TxChuy is speaking.

He's asking @SenBryanHughes to detail additions to the elections bill that are being added now that were not in original House or Senate versions.

#txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes @TxChuy Here is one new addition to elections bill that was not in previous versions, @SenBryanHughes says:

Require the secretary of state to monitor the tally of registered voters in each county and require local officials to draw up plans if more than this number vote. #txlege

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes @TxChuy Officials who fail to do so can be audited, fined and cut off from state funding.

(FYI this 20-page list of additions to the elections bill is not available to the public. But you can read full bill here: documentcloud.org/documents/2079…) #txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes @TxChuy Another new addition to the elections bill that was not in previous versions: partisan poll watchers who believe they are illegally impeded from observing election can seek injunctive relief or "any other remedy available under law."

#txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes @TxChuy There were several changes made in the House that have been stripped from this final version of the elections bill.

Most notable, IMO, was a ban on partisan poll watchers filming or photographing what they observe.

dallasnews.com/news/politics/… #txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes @TxChuy FYI the 20-page "out of bounds" resolution the Senate is debating can be read here. These are the additions to the elections bill that were not in either original version of this bill. capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/bi…

#txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes @TxChuy FWIW it's 2 days, 50 hours until sine die.

#txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes @TxChuy "Today is Saturday, Memorial weekend. I haven’t been able to call my county officials or my precinct judges," @whitmire_john says during debate on election bill.

@SenBryanHughes says he's talked to election officials the whole session. #txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes @TxChuy @whitmire_john Bill author @SenBryanHughes says, "Reporters have been asked us questions about it all day. It’s been out.”

Untrue. A version was leaked this morning but the official version was not released until late afternoon.

The bill is 67 pages, 40+ more than original bill. #txlege #SB7

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes @TxChuy @whitmire_john Sen. @JudithZaffirini asks whether @hughes is "threatened by the 13 who oppose this report?"

@SenBryanHughes: " “Do I feel threatened? No, senator. Should I?”

Zaffirini notes there are a bunch of state troopers in the gallery for only a handful of public observers. #txlege

@dallasnews @joanhuffman @alexazura @chucklindell @EllyDearman @beverlypowelltx @SenBryanHughes @TxChuy @whitmire_john @JudithZaffirini @hughes Sen. @JudithZaffirini responds, "I hope we don't look dangerous."

#txlege #sb7

Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, said he will side with @SenBryanHughes and allow him to add these new elements to the bill, citing "tradition."

He also criticizes other senators for not attending Hughes' private briefing on the bill given late tonight.

#txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes "Again another common sense way to solve a problem using a simple formula," @TeamBettencourt, R-Houston, says, describing election bill provision for overturning an election.

"As a former elections official," he adds, he thinks the changes are common sense. #txlege

@SenBryanHughes @TeamBettencourt Sen @RoyceWestTX is asking parliamentary procedure questions about this resolution.

Does the governor have to approve this?

@DanPatrick: No. "It’s a suspension of the rules.” Calls it a "simple" resolution.

#txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @TeamBettencourt @RoyceWestTX @DanPatrick West asks if the resolution must be laid our and distributed before it’s consideration?

Patrick: No. "It's the standard practice for suspending conference committee limitation."

West asking what the rules are for this "standard practice." #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @TeamBettencourt @RoyceWestTX @DanPatrick Lt. Gov. @DanPatrick, who leads the Senate as president, invites @RoyceWestTX to come discuss his questions with the parliamentarian.

We can't hear these discussions b/c they're off mic.

#txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @TeamBettencourt @RoyceWestTX @DanPatrick Sen. @RoyceWestTX is asking about the striking of this language here.

He says it's common for Black parishioners to go to church and then vote, known as "Souls to the Polls. #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @TeamBettencourt @RoyceWestTX @DanPatrick Sen @RoyceWestTX wants to know why the bill now restricts when early voting on Sundays can be held (any six hours between 1-9pm).

He says he attends 8am service. "And then they go to the polls. ....What you're doing is restricting that."

#txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @TeamBettencourt @RoyceWestTX @DanPatrick "So we’re going to be able to buy beer at 10 o'clock in the morning but we can’t vote until 1 o’clock," @RoyceWestTX says.

"You don't find that kind of disingenuous? The greatest number of people that vote on Sunday is African American." #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @TeamBettencourt @RoyceWestTX @DanPatrick Sen @RoyceWestTX on Souls to the Polls: "The only African American on the conference committee, you don't know whether or not she was briefed on this particular change?"

Hughes: "I don't know what they discussed." #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @TeamBettencourt @RoyceWestTX @DanPatrick Sen @RoyceWestTX asks if @SenBryanHughes will amend his elections bill to roll back hours for people to vote early on Sundays.

Hughes says he would like to make changes to the bill but the rules don't allow him to at this time. It's an up or down vote. #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @TeamBettencourt @RoyceWestTX @DanPatrick Sen @NathanForTexas is questioning @SenBryanHughes about how often Senate suspends its rules to add new provisions to a conference committee bill on the floor that weren't in original versions.

Spoiler: Not often. #txlege #Sb7

Sen. @NathanForTexas says some of this bill "comes out of nowhere."

He criticizes adding Senate bills that failed in the House to this

"Is the process worth anything?" he asks. #txlege #SB7

@NathanForTexas The Senate just voted 19-12 to add provisions to the omnibus elections bill that were not in either of the originals.

Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, voted with 18 Republican senators.

#txlege #SB7

@NathanForTexas “This seems more like you’re trying to get in bills that you couldn’t pass, or you thought of some other way to do some things that may of the members of this chamber don’t want you to do," @NathanForTexas tells @SenBryanHughes.

#txlege #SB7

Another upside of watching the Senate debate at home (other than having access to plugs, comfy seats and food and water) is I get to grab these goobers for a hug whenever I want! #txlege

Senate, which is debating the bill elections bill tonight, has been silent for about 30 minutes.

While we wait, here's some background on the bill: dallasnews.com/news/politics/…

Spoke too soon! Senate is back in action debating Senate Bill 7, the omnibus elections bill.

Now, they've moved on to debating the meat of the legislation.

"We want elections to be secure and accessible." #txlege #SB7

Sen @SenBryanHughes is laying out bill:
- Requires paper ballot trail by 2026. Provides funding.
- Imposes uniform early voting hours, which expands hours for 60+ out of 254 counties.
- Requires live stream inside balloting centers.

#txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes Poll watchers can observe elections but cannot interfere with voting.

"Poll watchers will not have cameras inside the election polling place."

^ I actually do not see any provision explicitly banning photo/videoing by poll watchers. Wonder if he'll clarify. #txlege #SB7

. @SenBryanHughes lays out more features of voting bill:

- Says anyone in line to vote by the time polling place hours end, they can vote.
- Clarifies definition of disabled for submitting mail in ballot.
- Requires ID number to be included for ballot application. #txlege

@SenBryanHughes Sen. @Menendez4Texas asks @SenBryanHughes why someone who drives three or more people to the polls to 1) fill out a form with their info or 2) exit the vehicle.

Can poll watchers then enter the vehicle, he asks?

#txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas Author @SenBryanHughes says if driver brings three or more voters not related to them to the polls and they requested curbside assistance, yes, they must turn over their info.

This would keep folks from being forced to vote a certain way, so called "vote harvesters." #txlege

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas . @SenBryanHughes says if someone needs curbside assistance to vote, driver should exit to ensure the vote is private.

"The poll watcher is not allowed to see how the voter is voting," but says watcher can enter vehicle if voter is getting assistance in casting ballot. #txlege

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas . @SenBryanHughes corrects himself: Says there is nothing in this bill that expressly *allows* poll watchers to get into a car with a voter requesting curbside assistance.

Importantly: Bill doesn't prohibit that either. Simply allows watchers to observe, not impede.
#txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas Sen. Eddie Lucio is now asking about curbside voting. He said it assured her a right to voter even after she was not mobile.

He wants @SenBryanHughes to explain provisions affecting this in the bill. #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas Sen @CesarJBlanco asking @SenBryanHughes about powers of poll watchers.

Hughes says this doesn't expand who can be watchers, or add any additional training. Blanco wants to know how to define "obstruct" a voter, which isn't defined here. Not sure if it's in another law already.

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco . @SenBryanHughes says poll watchers would now have to swear an oath, "I swear (or affirm) that I will not disrupt the voting process or harass voters in the discharge of my duties."

#txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco Sen @CesarJBlanco asks whether someone convicted of a violent offense or an election code offense can be a poll watcher.

@SenBryanHughes says only if they can already under current law. I am not familiar with this TBH.

Maybe @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace know. #txlege

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace Interesting distinction:

If this bill becomes law, poll watchers would now be required to take an oath — but *not* under penalty of perjury.

Those who assist voters, who *already* take a vote, would be required take it under penalty of perjury. #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace Saying something is "not in this bill" does not mean it is *banned* in the bill.

Can poll watchers argue they should be let into the car of a curbside voter, or to use recording equipment to properly observe elections?

The bill doesn't allow it. Doesn't ban it either. #txlege

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace “This is about Harris County, do you agree?” @CarolforTexas, D-Houston, asks.

@SenBryanHughes says three provisions Harris County did/contemplated in 2020 spurred provisions in this bill: 24-hour voting, drive-thru voting and blanket mail in ballot applications. #txlege

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace @CarolforTexas “Those provisions about drive through voting and 24 hour voting and unsolicited mail in ballot applications came from Harris County. But there’s a whole bunch more in the bill," @SenBryanHughes tells @CarolforTexas, D-Houston.

#txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace @CarolforTexas Sen @CarolforTexas, D-Houston, talking about 24-hour voting.

“The majority of those voters were also either Black or Latino voters," she says. "How do you justify getting rid of voting options that Black and Latino voters use?”

#txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace @CarolforTexas “The provisions in this bill apply equally across the board," @SenBryanHughes responds.

@beverlypowelltx up now for Qs. #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace @CarolforTexas @beverlypowelltx Sen. @beverlypowelltx, D-Burleson, says she is the only member of the Senate to represent a majority minority district named to the conference committee.

She says she was shut out of convos. @SenBryanHughes says the conference committee never met as a whole group. #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace @CarolforTexas @beverlypowelltx “Was I ever invited to participate in that process, to attend a single conversation or meeting about what we’re doing here tonight?” @beverlypowelltx asks.

Hughes says he spoke with her one-on-one. Powell also said she asked him to keep House amendments. #txlege

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace @CarolforTexas @beverlypowelltx . @SenBryanHughes says they did strip a divisive provision from the bill that would have used a formula to dole out polling places.

@alexazura @CEssig @madisonfdong did a deep dive into this: texastribune.org/2021/05/23/tex… #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace @CarolforTexas @beverlypowelltx @CEssig @madisonfdong Sen @beverlypowelltx asks if any "outsiders" were involved in crafting this legislation.

@SenBryanHughes says he's not aware of any on the Senate side. @NicoleCollier95 told me there was a GOP-affiliated lawyers involved in House discussions. #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace @CarolforTexas @beverlypowelltx @CEssig @madisonfdong @NicoleCollier95 Rep @NicoleCollier95 says the GOP affiliated lawyers who worked with House conferees on the elections bill was named "Elizabeth something."

She could not remember her last name. #txlege #SB7

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace @CarolforTexas @beverlypowelltx @CEssig @madisonfdong @NicoleCollier95 Senate is taking a 6-minute break. #txlege

@SenBryanHughes @Menendez4Texas @CesarJBlanco @alexazura @mcpli @JeremySWallace @CarolforTexas @beverlypowelltx @CEssig @madisonfdong @NicoleCollier95 Hey y'all! I'm off to bed. Here is my rundown after five hours into debate on the elections bill.

tl;dr — It's been a tense, yet cordial, slug fest. The bill is expected to pass the GOP-dominated Senate. Still needs House's OK.

dallasnews.com/news/politics/… #txlege #SB7