LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                                May 8, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Florence Shapiro, Chair, Senate Committee on
               State Affairs
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB1856  by Danburg (Relating to the use of certain voting
               systems.), As Engrossed
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
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Local Government Impact
  

The bill would require phasing out the use of punch card ballots or
similar tabulating card systems.  There are 14 counties in Texas that use
punch card ballot systems and three that use lever voting systems. The
estimated cost for replacing the punch card systems and lever voting
systems in all 17 counties, with the most current technology that is
certified as meeting all state guidelines, is estimated to be
$27,440,000.

The number of precincts in need of new voting systems is 1,960. The
Secretary of State estimates an average of four machine per precinct
would be needed, for a total of 7,840 machine at a cost of $3,500 per
machine.
  
  
Source Agencies:   
LBB Staff:         JK, RB, TB, DW, DB