ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 523 By: Paxton,
Bullard, Bergstrom, Jett, and Jech of the Senate
and
Lepak
and Roberts (Sean) of the House
An Act relating to elections; amending 26 O.S. 2021, Section
2-106, which relates to duties of the State Election Board; prohibiting certain
entities from entering into certain legal agreements or settlements;
prohibiting alteration or amendment of election procedures by certain officers;
authorizing intervention in civil proceedings; and declaring an emergency.
SUBJECT: Elections
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.
AMENDATORY 26 O.S. 2021,
Section 2-106, is amended to read as follows:
Section 2-106. A.
The State Election Board shall perform such duties as may be prescribed
by law.
B.
1. No agency, board, or
commission or other entity of state government, or officer of this state, or
state employee, or a county election board, shall enter into a legal agreement,
consent decree, or settlement of any kind which would alter or amend election
procedures prescribed by the Legislature in statute. Any such agreement, consent decree or settlement
entered into in violation of this subsection shall be void and unenforceable.
2.
Neither the Governor nor any officer of the state nor any political
subdivision of the state, nor any court created by the Oklahoma Constitution or
by statute, shall amend or alter the election procedures prescribed by the
Legislature in statute, except where specifically authorized by statute.
C.
Either chamber of the Legislature, acting by the Speaker of the Oklahoma
House of Representatives or the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State
Senate or both such persons jointly, may intervene in any action, suit, or
proceeding that challenges or attempts to modify election procedures prescribed
by statute.
SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
Passed the Senate the 16th day of May, 2022.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the 27th day of April, 2022.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received
by the Office of the Governor this ____________________ day of
___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved
by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________ day of
___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received
by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________ day of
__________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________