Relating to preparing and delivering precinct election returns; increasing a criminal penalty.

HB 1477 amends Texas election law to increase criminal penalties for election officials who fail to deliver precinct election returns on time. It raises the offense from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor under Section 65.014(e) of the Election Code. The bill also clarifies that if records aren't delivered by the deadline, the Secretary of State or a judge may step in to complete the count and distribute records. This change applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.