The Texas Senate is back from recess. They will soon vote on the elections omnibus bill #SB1 as amended in committee. Here's the text:
capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/871/bi…
Watch live here:
tlcsenate.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.ph… #txlege
capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/871/bi…
Watch live here:
tlcsenate.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.ph… #txlege
Senate is taking up #SB7 first. This is the bill to give a one-time 13th check to TRS retirees (teachers and other school employees) not financed from the pension fund, which is different from the House. #txlege
The TRS 13th check, #SB7, passed the Senate 22-0. #txlege #txed
https://twitter.com/RANewsTX/status/1414997093928873988
#SB1 is being heard right now. Watch live in the link below: #txlege
https://twitter.com/RANewsTX/status/1414994039779303436
Senate Rs' messaging is consistent on #SB1:
-expands voting (ex. ⬆ min. hrs for early voting, mention how TX is better than other states)
-new burdens & criminal penalties for VBM (incl. ID) & voting assistance is justified b/c of ballot security to improve voter confidence
-expands voting (ex. ⬆ min. hrs for early voting, mention how TX is better than other states)
-new burdens & criminal penalties for VBM (incl. ID) & voting assistance is justified b/c of ballot security to improve voter confidence
-drive-thru voting ban is b/c of security issue and allegations in an AG complaint of voters not matching votes. #SB1 #txlege
There's a floor amendment from Hughes & Hinjosa to clarify vote harvesting offense is about physical presence of app for VBM or the ballot & paid campaign worker. It apparently mirrors a House amendment for SB7 during regular session. #SB1 #txlege
Bettencourt will have an amendment on poll watchers later.
Birdwell says current law on accomodations for voters w/disability isn't affected by #SB1. It is worth noting that new language in Sec. 5.01 says this accomodation doesn't apply to voter assistance part of the code. #txlege
Zaffirini asks if there is any evidence of fraud for 24 hr voting & why #SB1 bans it. Hughes says not yet. Also says it's difficult to find election workers & poll watchers. She reminds us Harris Co. election official @LongoriaTx testified staggered shifts help w/election workers
In response to concern about taking away an opportunity to vote for shift workers, Hughes points to #SB1 provision that expands the current law prohibiton on employers preventing their employees from leaving work to vote on election day to also include early voting. #txlege
Regarding concern about #SB1 amending TX voting assistance law constrained in oath in violation of federal voting and disability laws, Hughes refers to upcomig Paxton amendment. #txlege
Zaffirini has a line of questioning to get legislative intent on interpretations of certain provisions of #SB1. Hughes says no on the record to most of them. #txlege
.@SenBobHall dismissed a lot of cmte testimony against #SB1 saying folks either didn't "read the bill", they didn't understand it when they read it, or they were told wrong information by others. He's especially upset about any claims of "racism" about #SB1's provisions. #txlege
Senate will now vote on floor amendments to #SB1. As has been the case all regular session and will likely be the cage again now, the public does not have the text of the Senate floor amendments available to them on TLO. We only have the words of the Senators to go by. #txlege
Floor amendment 1 by Hughes & Hinojosa clarifies "ballot harvesting" offense doesn't impact typical campaign activity like canvassing. Adopted. #SB1 #txlege
https://twitter.com/RANewsTX/status/1415060011999444994
Floor amendment 2 by Hughes and Zaffirini align mail ballot process with in-person voting when it comes to voter ID for mail-ballot (matching voters' SS, DL, or state ID) clarifies the language. Adopted. #SB1 #txlege
Floor amendment 3 by Hughes removes requirement for curbside voting that forces folks who are not voting to leave the car to address issue for folks w/disabilities. Adopted. #SB1 #txlege
Floor amndmnt 4 by Birdwell allows exceptions on #SB1 prohibitions on temporary, movable structures (e.g. a tent) as a polling places to give discretion to counties when there's damage from disasters. This actually addresses an issue raised by TX election administrators. #txlege
Floor amendment 4 by Birdwell is adopted. #SB1 #txlege
https://twitter.com/RANewsTX/status/1415067419849203716
Floor amendment 5 by Zaffirini allows drive-thru voting in parking lots. Hughes says Birdwell's amendment addresses part of what Zaffirini is trying to do. It fails 4-18. #SB1 #txlege
Floor amendment 6 by Zaffirini removes the requirement for curbside voting where 3 or more passengers would need to exit (except for the voter) and fill out a form. Hughes says his prior amendment addresses this. It fails 4-18. #SB1 #txlege
Floor amendment 7 by Zaffirini to strike the limitations in #SB1 on 24 hour voting. It fails 4-18. #txlege
Floor amendment 8 by Bettencourt would ensure that all poll watchers have a training manual and directs the @TXsecofstate to make it accessible online. Adopted 22-0. #SB1 #txlege
Floor amendment 9 by Zaffirini would have serving as an election clerk or judge for 2 elections the prereq for being a polling watcher. Hughes says Bettencourt amndmnt addresses concerns on training. Says there'll be more opportunity in the future. Fails 4-18. #SB1 #txlege
Floor amendment 10 by Campbell allows election IDs for in-person voting can be used for voting by mail. Adopted. #SB1 #txlege
Floor amndmnt 11 by Paxton changes voting assistance oath to better comply w/federal law. No longer specifies how assistance is provided to voter or requiring assistant to swear voter is eligible for assistance. Addresses some of the concerns raised in cmte. Adopted. #SB1 #txlege
Floor amendment 12 by Zaffirini on voting assistance oath fails 4-18. Hughes says Paxton's amendment addresses the concerns. #SB1 #txlege
The Senate passes the election omnibus bill #SB1, as amended, to engrossment by a vote of 18-4. One more vote remains to finally pass the Senate. #txlege
.@SenatorLucio speaks against #SB1 saying it isn't exactly what he wants but "it's on the right track". #txlege
Hughes closes on #SB1 w/the talking point of all the TX GOP on election omnibus bills: "easier to vote, harder to cheat."
Senate gives final passage to #SB1 by a vote of 18-4 along party lines. It now heads to the House where Dems have broke quorum halting everything. #txlege
Senate gives final passage to #SB1 by a vote of 18-4 along party lines. It now heads to the House where Dems have broke quorum halting everything. #txlege
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