US EditionTexas Senate Once Again Tries to Give the Attorney General Authority to Prosecute Election Crimes
TEXAS, JUL 31 – Senate Bill 11 allows the Texas attorney general to prosecute election crimes independently if local prosecutors decline, following a 2021 court ruling limiting AG authority.
- In a 17-12 vote Wednesday, the Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 11 to restore the attorney general’s election prosecution powers, stripped by the 2021 Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
- After a 2021 court decision by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Gov. Greg Abbott included restoring prosecutorial power to the special session agenda.
- Despite more than 300 investigations, Paxton said, SB 11 would give the attorney general concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute election crimes when local prosecutors decline.
- It remains unclear whether the Texas House will pass `strong election integrity legislation` after earlier this week, as Paxton called on them to do so.
- Looking ahead, Sen. Bob Hall questioned if a constitutional amendment is necessary, which would require two-thirds support from both chambers including 12 House Democrats and voter approval.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Texas lawmakers move to restore AG Ken Paxton’s power to prosecute election fraud
Proposed bills in the Texas House would restore the Attorney General's power to independently prosecute election fraud, mirroring a Senate plan that's already advancing at the Capitol.
Texas Senate once again tries to give the attorney general authority to prosecute election crimes
A similar proposal stalled out earlier this year over disagreements between the House and Senate. This time, lawmakers might clash over whether to approve the new bill along with a constitutional amendment.
Texas Senate once again tries to give the attorney general authority …
A similar proposal stalled out earlier this year over disagreements between the House and Senate. This time, lawmakers might clash over whether to approve the new bill along with a constitutional amendment.
Senate Moves To Restore Attorney General’s Power To Prosecute Election Crimes
Legislation would allow the Attorney General to bring charges even if a local prosecutor declines to act. The post Senate Moves To Restore Attorney General’s Power To Prosecute Election Crimes appeared first on Texas Scorecard.
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