87R13999 MLH-F     By: Bonnen, Goldman, et al. H.B. No. 574     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 574:     By:  Clardy C.S.H.B. No. 574       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the elements of the criminal offense of election fraud;   increasing criminal penalties.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 276.013(a) and (b), Election Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (a)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or   intentionally makes any effort to:                (1)  influence the independent exercise of the vote of   another in the presence of the ballot or during the voting process;                (2)  cause a voter to become registered, a ballot to be   obtained, or a vote to be cast under false pretenses; [or]                (3)  count invalid votes or alter a report to include   invalid votes;                (4)  fail to count valid votes or alter a report to   exclude valid votes; or                (5) [(3)]  cause any intentionally misleading   statement, representation, or information to be provided:                      (A)  to an election official; or                      (B)  on an application for ballot by mail, carrier   envelope, or any other official election-related form or document.          (b)  An offense under this section is a felony of the second   degree [Class A misdemeanor].          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.