LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 2, 2017 TO: Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Chair, House Committee on Elections FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB2139 by Schofield (Relating to the creation of the offense of engaging in organized election fraud activity.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Election Code to create the offense organized election fraud. Under the provisions of the bill, an individual who commits or conspires to commit an offense under certain titles of the Election Code with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a vote harvesting organization would commit organized election fraud. The bill would also make certain offenses punishable at one category higher than their current applicable statutory level.According to the Office of Court Administration, any increases caseload would likely be absorbed within existing resources. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions for criminal offenses would not result in a significant fiscal impact on state correctional agencies. The bill would take effect September 1, 2017 and would apply only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of the Act. Local Government Impact According to the Texas Association of Counties, the fiscal impact to counties to implement the provisions of the bill is not anticipated to be significant. 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. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication. Source Agencies:212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 696 Department of Criminal Justice LBB Staff: UP, LBO, LM, AKU, JGA
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 2, 2017
TO: Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Chair, House Committee on Elections FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB2139 by Schofield (Relating to the creation of the offense of engaging in organized election fraud activity.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB2139 by Schofield (Relating to the creation of the offense of engaging in organized election fraud activity.), As Introduced
Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Chair, House Committee on Elections
Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Chair, House Committee on Elections
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB2139 by Schofield (Relating to the creation of the offense of engaging in organized election fraud activity.), As Introduced
HB2139 by Schofield (Relating to the creation of the offense of engaging in organized election fraud activity.), 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 create the offense organized election fraud. Under the provisions of the bill, an individual who commits or conspires to commit an offense under certain titles of the Election Code with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a vote harvesting organization would commit organized election fraud. The bill would also make certain offenses punishable at one category higher than their current applicable statutory level.According to the Office of Court Administration, any increases caseload would likely be absorbed within existing resources. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions for criminal offenses would not result in a significant fiscal impact on state correctional agencies. The bill would take effect September 1, 2017 and would apply only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of the Act.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Association of Counties, the fiscal impact to counties to implement the provisions of the bill is not anticipated to be significant. 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. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.
Source Agencies: 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 696 Department of Criminal Justice
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 696 Department of Criminal Justice
LBB Staff: UP, LBO, LM, AKU, JGA
UP, LBO, LM, AKU, JGA