HB3697

The introduced bill, House committee report and House-passed text proposed 12-point black text on a white background for the official application and for other mailed balloting materials, including instructions.

The Senate substitute removed the white-background requirement but retained the 12-point rule and broader materials provision. The Senate then adopted Zaffirini’s floor amendment, which lowered the application minimum to 10-point and struck the entire proposed provision covering the other balloting materials. Neither the white-background requirement nor the broader 12-point mandate became law.

The amendment index lists that one adopted floor amendment. The House concurred in the Senate changes, 106–30 with two present but not voting; no conference rewrite followed. The governor signed the bill June 20, 2025. Official history.

Compare the published text versions in the official text index. A change is not attributed to a specific amendment here without a verified record.

Applicants may find a larger minimum type size easier to read, particularly when small print is difficult for them. Election officials and form suppliers must use compliant layouts for the covered elections. The change does not remove the separate eligibility, identification, signature or deadline requirements.

The final fiscal note expects no significant state or local fiscal impact and assumes costs can be absorbed with existing resources. Earlier fiscal notes discussed possible increases in the size and weight of mailed balloting materials under the broader proposal; that discussion should not be presented as a new mandate in the narrower final law.

Review boundary: This is an explanation of the official form’s design and the election-order transition, not a determination that a particular application is valid or that a person qualifies to vote by mail.