HB2205

THE CONTEXT: The official instructions and procedures manual for elections often referred to as the Elections Procedures Manual (EPM), must be issued by December 31 of each odd-numbered year preceding the general election. The EPM must be submitted by the Secretary of State to the Governor and Attorney General for approval no later than October 1 of the year before each general election.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would state the Legislature's delegation of authority to the Secretary of State to produce an official instructions and procedures manual does not constitute an excessive delegation of legislative powers and specifies the official instructions and procedures manual only has the force of law for provisions specifically authorized by the Legislature.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make election administration and accountability rules for election procedures manual more definite. It would state the Legislature's delegation of authority to the Secretary of State to produce an official instructions and procedures manual does not constitute an excessive delegation of legislative powers, and would also specifies the official instructions and procedures manual only has the force of law for provisions specifically authorized by the Legislature, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.