Bill Caption

Relating to the required disclosure of entities with an ownership interest in a vendor of voting system equipment.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

HB 1397 would require a contract to acquire equipment necessary for operating a voting system from a vendor to disclose each person or entity that has at least a 5% ownership interest in the vendor, the vendor's parent company, if any, and all subsidiaries or affiliates of the vendor, if any.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports HB 1397 because it brings transparency to an important government duty and the vendors who help the government carry out this duty. This bill would make clear who is involved with and would benefit from a contract for voting equipment, exposing potential bad actors to more scrutiny and increased risk. 

The public deserves to know that the people and entities supplying vital voting equipment are trustworthy, or confidence in the integrity of our elections will decline. In the interest of improving election integrity and voter confidence, we support this bill which is consistent with the principle of limited government.