TX HB989

Allows candidates, political party chairs, presiding judges, alternate presiding judges, and heads of specific-purpose political committees to submit written requests to county clerks for explanations of alleged election irregularities, including actions violating election code, irregular precinct results, documentation problems, or reconciliation discrepancies

County clerks must respond to initial requests within 20 days with explanations and supporting documentation; follow-up requests must be answered within 10 days

Requestors unsatisfied with county responses may escalate to the Secretary of State for an audit; if the Secretary finds the county's explanation insufficient within 30 days, an audit must begin at the county's expense

Secretary of State must appoint a conservator to oversee elections in any precinct where a violation is found, with the conservator serving for two federal election cycles

Counties that fail to remedy violations within 30 days of notice face a $500 civil penalty per violation, plus an additional $500 per day until remedied; penalty records must be published online and the Attorney General may sue to collect unpaid penalties