LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 8, 2013 TO: Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Elections FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB582 by Howard (Relating to certain restrictions on contributions and expenditures from political funds by a lobbyist; providing penalties.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend Election code and Government code to restrict political contributions by a lobbyist to a member of the executive or legislative branch. The restriction made by the bill would not apply to lobbyists for nonprofits or certain low income and disabled individuals and lobbyists that do not receive compensation for their work. The bill would also define violations of this statute as a Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. It is anticipated that any costs associated with implementing the bill could be absorbed within existing agency resources. Local Government Impact Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact. Source Agencies:356 Texas Ethics Commission LBB Staff: UP, KJo, EP, EMo, KKR LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 8, 2013 TO: Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Elections FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB582 by Howard (Relating to certain restrictions on contributions and expenditures from political funds by a lobbyist; providing penalties.), As Introduced TO: Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Elections FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB582 by Howard (Relating to certain restrictions on contributions and expenditures from political funds by a lobbyist; providing penalties.), As Introduced Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Elections Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Elections Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board HB582 by Howard (Relating to certain restrictions on contributions and expenditures from political funds by a lobbyist; providing penalties.), As Introduced HB582 by Howard (Relating to certain restrictions on contributions and expenditures from political funds by a lobbyist; providing penalties.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend Election code and Government code to restrict political contributions by a lobbyist to a member of the executive or legislative branch. The restriction made by the bill would not apply to lobbyists for nonprofits or certain low income and disabled individuals and lobbyists that do not receive compensation for their work. The bill would also define violations of this statute as a Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. It is anticipated that any costs associated with implementing the bill could be absorbed within existing agency resources. Local Government Impact Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact. Source Agencies: 356 Texas Ethics Commission 356 Texas Ethics Commission LBB Staff: UP, KJo, EP, EMo, KKR UP, KJo, EP, EMo, KKR