Honorable Bryan Hughes, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1600 by Hughes (Relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify eligibility to vote in Texas.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1600, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($826,492) through the biennium ending August 31, 2025.
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
2024
($731,446)
2025
($95,046)
2026
($95,406)
2027
($95,406)
2028
($95,406)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2024
($731,446)
2025
($95,046)
2026
($95,406)
2027
($95,406)
2028
($95,406)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Election Code to require proof of citizenship for certain voter registrations. The bill directs the Secretary of State (SOS) to request that the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) modify the federal voter registration application form to include a requirement that applicants submit documented proof of citizenship as a condition for voter registration in Texas. If the EAC fails to comply with this request, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) would be required to seek enforcement in court.
Methodology
According to the SOS, in the event that EAC declines to modify the federal voter registration form the SOS would be required to distinguish between registrations conducted under the federal voter application system and those conducted under state direction. Distinguishing between voter registration types would require modifications to the statewide voter registration and election management system (TEAM) database to reflect proof of citizenship data for state applicants and to separate applications by type of voter application made. The agency indicates that these modifications to TEAM would be substantial.
The OAG anticipates any legal work resulting from the passage of this bill could be reasonably absorbed with current resources.
Technology
The SOS estimates that modifying the TEAM system under the provisions of this bill would require 3,460 hours of IT contracting effort: 1,260 hours for business analysis and testing ($174 per hour), 2,000 hours for development ($185 per hour), and 200 hours for project management ($234 per hour). Total cost for modifications to TEAM would be $636,040 in fiscal year 2024.
In addition, in fiscal year 2024 and thereafter the agency estimates that there would be an increase of maintenance and storage costs related to the changes required by the bill of $95,406 per year.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
302 Office of the Attorney General, 307 Secretary of State