LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 14, 2009 TO: Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB627 by Anchia (Relating to the registration of voters at a polling place during early voting by personal appearance and related procedures.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Election Code to establish procedures under which a person who is eligible to register to vote but is not registered to vote may vote during early voting by personal appearance. The procedures would require the election officer to make a copy of the voter's proof of residence and attach it to a voter registration application. The voter registrar would be required to review each application and copy of the proof of residence and determine whether the applicant is eligible for registration. The registrar would then be required to inform the early voting ballot board of the determination made. The Secretary of State would be authorized to designate by rule documents that a person may offer to prove the person's residence in addition to those documents stated in the bill and to prescribe procedures to implement the new requirements. Local Government Impact The fiscal impact would vary by county. For example, Harris County indicates there would be no fiscal impact to that county, but Lubbock County, Tom Green County, and Howard County report there would be costs associated with implementation. In Lubbock County, the costs would total $277,388 the first year and drop to $139,388 each subsequent year, which are significant amounts in relation to the county's budget. Tom Green County estimates costs of $280 in fiscal year 2010 and $160 in fiscal years 2012 and 2014, an insignificant amount. Howard County, the smallest of this sampling, estimates costs of $2,700 in fiscal year 2010, $1,200 in odd numbered fiscal years, and $2,400 in even numbered years; these amounts are significant relevant to the county's budget. Source Agencies: LBB Staff: JOB, TP, DB
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 14, 2009
TO: Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB627 by Anchia (Relating to the registration of voters at a polling place during early voting by personal appearance and related procedures.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB627 by Anchia (Relating to the registration of voters at a polling place during early voting by personal appearance and related procedures.), As Introduced
Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB627 by Anchia (Relating to the registration of voters at a polling place during early voting by personal appearance and related procedures.), As Introduced
HB627 by Anchia (Relating to the registration of voters at a polling place during early voting by personal appearance and related procedures.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Election Code to establish procedures under which a person who is eligible to register to vote but is not registered to vote may vote during early voting by personal appearance. The procedures would require the election officer to make a copy of the voter's proof of residence and attach it to a voter registration application. The voter registrar would be required to review each application and copy of the proof of residence and determine whether the applicant is eligible for registration. The registrar would then be required to inform the early voting ballot board of the determination made. The Secretary of State would be authorized to designate by rule documents that a person may offer to prove the person's residence in addition to those documents stated in the bill and to prescribe procedures to implement the new requirements.
The bill would amend the Election Code to establish procedures under which a person who is eligible to register to vote but is not registered to vote may vote during early voting by personal appearance. The procedures would require the election officer to make a copy of the voter's proof of residence and attach it to a voter registration application. The voter registrar would be required to review each application and copy of the proof of residence and determine whether the applicant is eligible for registration. The registrar would then be required to inform the early voting ballot board of the determination made.
The Secretary of State would be authorized to designate by rule documents that a person may offer to prove the person's residence in addition to those documents stated in the bill and to prescribe procedures to implement the new requirements.
Local Government Impact
The fiscal impact would vary by county. For example, Harris County indicates there would be no fiscal impact to that county, but Lubbock County, Tom Green County, and Howard County report there would be costs associated with implementation. In Lubbock County, the costs would total $277,388 the first year and drop to $139,388 each subsequent year, which are significant amounts in relation to the county's budget. Tom Green County estimates costs of $280 in fiscal year 2010 and $160 in fiscal years 2012 and 2014, an insignificant amount. Howard County, the smallest of this sampling, estimates costs of $2,700 in fiscal year 2010, $1,200 in odd numbered fiscal years, and $2,400 in even numbered years; these amounts are significant relevant to the county's budget.
Source Agencies:
LBB Staff: JOB, TP, DB
JOB, TP, DB