LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session April 12, 2001 TO: Honorable Debra Danburg, Chair, House Committee on Elections FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB1856 by Danburg (Relating to the use of certain voting systems.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** 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, TB, DW, DB