TO:	Honorable Briscoe Cain, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB7 by Hughes (relating to election integrity and security, including by preventing fraud in the conduct of elections in this state; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted

The bill would amend various codes as they relate to election integrity and the prevention of fraud in the conduct of an election.  Under the provisions of the bill, several new election fraud-related criminal offenses would be created punishable at the felony and misdemeanor level with the level and degree based on the specific circumstances of the offense. 

The Texas Ethics Commission and the Secretary of State indicate the modifications outlined in the bill's provisions would not result in a significant fiscal impact.  This analysis assumes implementing the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions would not result in a significant impact on the demand for state correctional resources.

According to the Office of Court Administration,  no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated.

Local Government Impact

The Texas Association of Counties does not anticipate a significant fiscal impact to counties.

The bill creates a Class B misdemeanor. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, 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.

The bill creates and repeals 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. The creation and repeal of the Class A misdemeanors will offset any fiscal implication.