Bill Caption

Relating to the establishment of the election integrity division in the office of the attorney general.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 1508 would require the office of the attorney general to establish an election integrity division to investigate cases of voter fraud. The bill would require a law enforcement agency to cooperate with the division in these investigations. The bill would grant the division administrative subpoena power to compel local officials to cooperate in an investigation by this division.

The bill would also require an election official or political subdivision to promptly provide access to election records requested by a law enforcement officer or prosecutor in connection with an investigation conducted by the election integrity division.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports SB 1508 because it would espouse the limited government and individual liberty principles by helping make elections more secure. This bill would enact additional security to Texas elections by strengthening the attorney general's office when investigating voter fraud. While currently there are lawyers in the AG's office who investigate voter fraud, there is no unified division for these lawyers, this bill would create that division and grant it the powers it needs to properly investigate voter fraud cases.