Regular Session
Texas Secretary of State
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
No action required. This statutory change does not trigger material adverse change provisions, force majeure clauses, or require amendments to vendor agreements or employment contracts.
No action required. Employers do not need to adjust voting leave policies or training manuals, as this meeting involves only designated Presidential Electors, not the general workforce.
No action required. There are no new filing obligations or documentation requirements for businesses.
No impact. The legislation carries no fiscal note and authorizes no new fees.
None. The statute is precise and mechanical, strictly substituting "Tuesday" for "Monday" to align with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act. There is no regulatory gray zone or discretion left to the enforcing agency that would impact business operations.
Our government affairs experts can walk you through this bill's specific impact on your operations.
Schedule ConsultationInformation 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.
This bill's path through the Texas Legislature
BILL ANALYSIS
| Senate Research Center | S.B. 688 |
| 89R4728 JDK-D | By: Hughes |
| State Affairs | |
| 2/25/2025 | |
| As Filed |
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In 2022, Congress passed the Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA) to clarify the process of casting and counting electoral votes. The ECRA also changed the Electoral College meeting date to "the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December," moving it one day later than before.
The Texas Election Code has not been updated to match this federal requirement. S.B. 688 rectifies this by changing the day Texas electors meet from Monday to Tuesday so Texas law may be in compliance with the ECRA.
As proposed, S.B. 688 amends current law relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors of this state.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 192.006(a), Election Code, to require the presidential electors to convene at the State Capitol at 2 p.m. on the first Tuesday, rather than the first Monday, after the second Wednesday in December following their election and perform their duties as prescribed by federal law.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
| S.B. No. 688 | ||
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| relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors of this | ||
| state. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Section 192.006(a), Election Code, is amended to | ||
| read as follows: | ||
| (a) The electors shall convene at the State Capitol at 2 | ||
| p.m. on the first Tuesday [ |
||
| December following their election and shall perform their duties as | ||
| prescribed by federal law. | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||
| TO: | Honorable Bryan Hughes, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs |
| FROM: | Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB688 by Hughes (Relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors of this state.), As Introduced |
| Source Agencies: | 307 Secretary of State |
| LBB Staff: | JMc, WP, LCO, GP |
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Common questions about SB688
SB688 is a procedural statute harmonizing Texas election law with federal requirements regarding the Electoral College schedule. It shifts the meeting of Presidential Electors from the first Monday to the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December. This legislation imposes no operational duties, costs, or liabilities on private sector entities.
SB688 was authored by Texas Senator Bryan Hughes during the Regular Session.
SB688 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 24, 2025.
SB688 is enforced by Texas Secretary of State.
The compliance urgency for SB688 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
The cost impact of SB688 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
SB688 addresses topics including elections, elections--general and elections--presidential.
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