LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 21, 2021

TO:
Honorable Briscoe Cain, Chair, House Committee on Elections
 
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1708 by White (relating to a voting system that produces a voter-verifiable paper record.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Election Code to prohibit a political subdivision from purchasing a voting system consisting of direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machines unless it is an auditable voting system beginning September 1, 2021. Beginning September 1, 2030, a non-auditable voting system consisting of DRE machines would not be permitted to be used in an election. The bill would also provide that additional types of paper-based voting systems may be used by counties participating in the countywide polling place program.

According to the Secretary of State (SOS), no significant fiscal impact to the State is anticipated.

Local Government Impact

There could be a cost to counties required to purchase new equipment or upgrade to auditable systems before the end of the normal life cycle of previously acquired equipment.


Source Agencies:
307 Secretary of State
LBB Staff:
JMc, SLE, CMA, DPE