H.B. No. 536
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the voter registration of a person who submits a federal
  postcard application to vote in an election.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 13.002, Election Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
         (h)  The submission of a federal postcard application
  constitutes an application for registration under this section at
  the voting residence address stated on the application. This
  subsection does not apply to a person who indicates on the person's
  federal postcard application that the person is residing outside
  the United States indefinitely. The secretary of state shall
  prescribe rules to implement this subsection, including:
               (1)  rules providing directions to court clerks
  regarding the inclusion on jury lists of persons who submit federal
  postcard applications; and
               (2)  rules relating to whether a person who submits a
  federal postcard application is to be considered a registered voter
  of the applicable authority for the purposes of determining the
  number of signatures required on a petition.
         SECTION 2.  Section 101.006(a), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The submission of a federal postcard application that
  complies with the applicable requirements by an unregistered
  applicant constitutes registration by the applicant:
               (1)  [only] for the purpose of voting in the election
  for which a ballot is requested; and
               (2)  under Title 2 unless the person indicates on the
  application that the person is residing outside the United States
  indefinitely [each election that occurs on or before the date of the
  second general election for state and county officers that occurs
  after the date the application is submitted].
         SECTION 3.  Section 13.002(h), Election Code, as added by
  this Act, and Section 101.006(a), Election Code, as amended by this
  Act, apply to a federal postcard application that is received on or
  after September 1, 2009, without regard to the date the application
  is submitted.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 536 was passed by the House on April
  9, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 148, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 536 was passed by the Senate on May
  14, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor