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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-06-20
HB677

Regular Session

Relating to the restrictions on political activities of a county elections administrator.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

HB677: Government Affairs Overview

HB677 creates a "poison pill" for County Elections Administrators (CEAs), mandating the automatic vacation of office if a CEA holds or accepts any position appointed by an elected official. While this directly regulates public officials, it creates immediate operational risks for executive search firms, government affairs entities, and vendors whose contracts depend on the valid authority of a sitting administrator.

Rep. Mano DeAyala·House Bill·Regular Session

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies

County Election Commissions

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HB677
Relating to the restrictions on political activities of a county elections administrator.
Low Urgency
Passed with Opposition
House Vote144 - 2
YEA
99% in favor146 voting
Senate Vote30 - 1
YEA
97% in favor31 voting
3
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies
County Election Commissions
Primary Author: Rep. Mano DeAyala
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025 (Note: Disregard automated summaries listing June; Section 3 of the bill controls).
  • Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025. Any CEA appointed on or after this date is subject to the new restrictions immediately.
  • Agency Rulemaking: No statutory requirement for agency rulemaking. However, we anticipate the Secretary of State or Attorney General will eventually issue opinions defining the scope of "appointed position."

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Audit Recruitment Pipelines: Immediately review all CEA candidates currently in the hiring queue for start dates post-September 1, 2025.
  • 2. Update Vetting Forms: Add the specific question regarding "appointments by elected officials" to all relevant background check documents.
  • 3. Advisory Notice: Government Affairs teams must be instructed *never* to recommend a sitting CEA for a political appointment, as this will legally terminate the CEA's employment.
  • 4. Review Insurance: Notify liability carriers (E&O/D&O) of the "automatic vacation" provision to ensure coverage gaps do not exist for acts taken by an administrator who unknowingly vacated their seat.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Employment Agreements: Contracts for new CEAs must include a specific "Termination by Operation of Law" clause citing Texas Election Code § 31.035(a). This protects the county from wrongful termination suits when the statute triggers automatic vacation.
  • Vendor Agreements: Vendors contracting directly with county election departments should add a representation warranty confirming the signatory (the CEA) has not triggered an automatic vacation of office.

Hiring/Training

  • Executive Search Protocols: Firms recruiting for CEA roles must update vetting questionnaires. You must ask: *"Do you currently hold any position, paid or unpaid, appointed by an elected official?"*
  • Onboarding: New hires must sign an affidavit prior to their start date confirming resignation from any prohibited appointments.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Annual Certification: Implement an internal compliance form where the CEA certifies annually that they have not accepted new appointments from elected officials.
  • Resignation Documentation: Proof of resignation from prior appointed boards (e.g., municipal planning commissions, state advisory boards) must be filed in the personnel record before the employment effective date.

Fees & Costs

  • No new statutory fees.
  • Potential Cost: Litigation costs regarding severance payouts if "automatic vacation" is contested.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

The statute prohibits holding a "position appointed by an elected official" but fails to define "position."

  • The Risk: It is unclear if this includes unpaid, volunteer, or ministerial roles (e.g., Notary Public, volunteer task force member).
  • The Warning: Until the Attorney General issues a clarifying opinion, assume all appointments—paid, volunteer, or honorary—are prohibited. A "strict reading" suggests even a benign appointment could trigger automatic job loss.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Nov 12, 2024
Passed House
May 6, 2025
Passed Senate
May 19, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsElectionsElections--administrationElections--election OfficersElections--general
03

House Authors

Rep. Mano DeAyalaRepublican · Primary Author
Joint Authors

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Paul BettencourtRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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More from Rep. Mano DeAyala

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB677

Q

What does Texas HB677 do?

HB677 creates a "poison pill" for County Elections Administrators (CEAs), mandating the automatic vacation of office if a CEA holds or accepts any position appointed by an elected official. While this directly regulates public officials, it creates immediate operational risks for executive search firms, government affairs entities, and vendors whose contracts depend on the valid authority of a sitting administrator.

Q

Who authored HB677?

HB677 was authored by Texas Representative Mano DeAyala during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB677 signed into law?

HB677 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB677?

HB677 is enforced by County Election Commissions.

Q

How significant are the changes in HB677?

The regulatory priority for HB677 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB677?

The cost impact of HB677 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB677 address?

HB677 addresses topics including elections, elections--administration, elections--election officers and elections--general.

Q

What are the key dates for HB677?

Key dates for HB677: Effective date is 2025-06-20. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Q

What are the penalties under HB677?

HB677 establishes the following penalties: administrative penalty of Automatic vacation of office for A County Elections Administrator holding or accepting an office or position appointed by an elected official.. Consult with legal counsel for specific applicability to your situation.

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JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026