The San Antonio Express-News reports that HB1129 has passed the Senate, after passing the House. The bill would create a “pilot program” in one county that would allow for members of the armed forces officially residing there but de facto living in combat zones to vote via secure email addresses.
I had never heard of this bill, which aggravated me a little bit. The press let us down on not reporting this potentially significant legislation. The Express-News speculates that the one county will be Bell, Bexar or El Paso, those with military bases therein.
The journal states that the bill passed the House unanimously, and a Senate panel unanimously as well. They haven’t published the roll call for tonight’s vote, but I can assume it had no opposition as well. The Secretary of State, John Steen, will make the final choice on the county selection. The bill now heads to the Governor.
