Texas HB1477 amends the Election Code to increase the criminal penalty for certain election record offenses and outlines procedures for handling.

Texas HB1477 amends the Election Code to increase the criminal penalty for offenses related to election records from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also specifies that if precinct election records are not delivered by the deadline, the secretary of state may take over to complete the count, prepare the returns, and distribute the records. Alternatively, a district judge can impound the records upon application by a member of the canvassing authority. The changes in criminal penalties apply only to offenses committed after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

Texas HB1477 amends the Election Code to increase the criminal penalty for certain election record offenses and outlines procedures for handling.

Texas HB1477 amends the Election Code to increase the criminal penalty for offenses related to election records from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also specifies that if precinct election records are not delivered by the deadline, the secretary of state may take over to complete the count, prepare the returns, and distribute the records. Alternatively, a district judge can impound the records upon application by a member of the canvassing authority. The changes in criminal penalties apply only to offenses committed after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.