LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION May 11, 2011 TO: Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB2814 by Hochberg (Relating to electronic voter registration.), As Engrossed Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2814, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($140,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2013. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
May 11, 2011
TO: Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB2814 by Hochberg (Relating to electronic voter registration.), As Engrossed
TO: Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB2814 by Hochberg (Relating to electronic voter registration.), As Engrossed
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
HB2814 by Hochberg (Relating to electronic voter registration.), As Engrossed
HB2814 by Hochberg (Relating to electronic voter registration.), As Engrossed
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2814, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($140,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2013. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2814, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($140,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2013.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds 2012 ($140,000) 2013 $0 2014 $0 2015 $0 2016 $0
2012 ($140,000)
2013 $0
2014 $0
2015 $0
2016 $0
All Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 2012 ($140,000) 2013 $0 2014 $0 2015 $0 2016 $0
Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 2012 ($140,000) 2013 $0 2014 $0 2015 $0 2016 $0
2012 ($140,000)
2013 $0
2014 $0
2015 $0
2016 $0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Secretary of State (SOS) to implement a program to allow a person who has a valid drivers license or state personal identification card to complete a voter registration application over the Internet from certain websites. The program would also be required to obtain a digital copy of the applicants signature from the Department of Public Safety (DPS). SOS would be required to adopt rules including rules to provide for additional security measures and a description of the offense on the website. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2011.
The bill would require the Secretary of State (SOS) to implement a program to allow a person who has a valid drivers license or state personal identification card to complete a voter registration application over the Internet from certain websites. The program would also be required to obtain a digital copy of the applicants signature from the Department of Public Safety (DPS). SOS would be required to adopt rules including rules to provide for additional security measures and a description of the offense on the website. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2011.
Methodology
It is assumed that the fiscal impact of the bill would be approximately $140,000 for contracted programming costs (see Technology section). It is also assumed that there would be postage savings of approximately $0.80 each from people who choose to register online instead of mailing a prepaid postage voter registration application but it is not known how many people who would otherwise utilize prepaid postage applications would choose to register online instead. Therefore savings from reduced postage reimbursements to counties cannot be determined. It is anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources.
It is assumed that the fiscal impact of the bill would be approximately $140,000 for contracted programming costs (see Technology section). It is also assumed that there would be postage savings of approximately $0.80 each from people who choose to register online instead of mailing a prepaid postage voter registration application but it is not known how many people who would otherwise utilize prepaid postage applications would choose to register online instead. Therefore savings from reduced postage reimbursements to counties cannot be determined. It is anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources.
Technology
SOS estimates a cost of $20,000 to develop an Internet voter registration application and $120,000 to import, verify, secure, and store the applicants digital signature. In addition, it is assumed that DPS would need to create an interface that would allow for the electronic signatures to be transmitted to SOS but it is assumed this cost could be absorbed within existing resources.
SOS estimates a cost of $20,000 to develop an Internet voter registration application and $120,000 to import, verify, secure, and store the applicants digital signature. In addition, it is assumed that DPS would need to create an interface that would allow for the electronic signatures to be transmitted to SOS but it is assumed this cost could be absorbed within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
LBB Staff: JOB, KJG, BTA
JOB, KJG, BTA