LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION May 18, 2011 TO: Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1616 by Geren (Relating to the reporting of political contributions, political expenditures, and personal financial information, and to complaints filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend Election Code to make additions to the list of information that must be included on campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission (Commission), and changes the reporting threshhold for political contributions from $50 to $100. The bill would also change the procedures for filing amended reports to the Commission. Finally, the bill would revise the procedures for dismissal of complaints challenging certain information in political reports made to the Commission. It is anticipated that the increase in the reporting threshhold could result in some savings due to decreased filings with the Commission. It is also anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies:356 Texas Ethics Commission LBB Staff: JOB, KJG, MS, DEH, JT LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION May 18, 2011 TO: Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1616 by Geren (Relating to the reporting of political contributions, political expenditures, and personal financial information, and to complaints filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted TO: Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB1616 by Geren (Relating to the reporting of political contributions, political expenditures, and personal financial information, and to complaints filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board HB1616 by Geren (Relating to the reporting of political contributions, political expenditures, and personal financial information, and to complaints filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted HB1616 by Geren (Relating to the reporting of political contributions, political expenditures, and personal financial information, and to complaints filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend Election Code to make additions to the list of information that must be included on campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission (Commission), and changes the reporting threshhold for political contributions from $50 to $100. The bill would also change the procedures for filing amended reports to the Commission. Finally, the bill would revise the procedures for dismissal of complaints challenging certain information in political reports made to the Commission. It is anticipated that the increase in the reporting threshhold could result in some savings due to decreased filings with the Commission. It is also anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011. The bill would amend Election Code to make additions to the list of information that must be included on campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission (Commission), and changes the reporting threshhold for political contributions from $50 to $100. The bill would also change the procedures for filing amended reports to the Commission. Finally, the bill would revise the procedures for dismissal of complaints challenging certain information in political reports made to the Commission. It is anticipated that the increase in the reporting threshhold could result in some savings due to decreased filings with the Commission. It is also anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 356 Texas Ethics Commission 356 Texas Ethics Commission LBB Staff: JOB, KJG, MS, DEH, JT JOB, KJG, MS, DEH, JT