LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
March 13, 2001
TO: Honorable Debra Danburg, Chair, House Committee on
Elections
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB2435 by Madden (Relating to the regulation of certain
political contributions and political expenditures.), As
Introduced
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* HB2435, As Introduced: negative impact of $(148,138) through the *
* biennium ending August 31, 2003. *
* *
* 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 *
* 2002 $(148,138) *
* 2003 0 *
* 2004 0 *
* 2005 0 *
* 2006 0 *
****************************************************
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
*****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from *
* General Revenue Fund *
* 0001 *
* 2002 $(148,138) *
* 2003 0 *
* 2004 0 *
* 2005 0 *
* 2006 0 *
*****************************************************
Technology Impact
This bill would require programming modifications to many parts of the
software and the Texas Ethics Commission's database. All filers who
file electronically will have some changes in reporting requirements
that require modifications in the electronic filing software. The costs
of the new programming would be $31,400.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend campaign finance rules for all candidates and
officeholders by requiring the designation of a principal political
committee, which would require the Texas Ethics Commission to revise
campaign finance filing guides and instructions, prescribe new forms,
change existing forms, make modifications to the existing electronic
software and provide the new software to Texas Ethics Commission filers,
as well as providing notice to candidates, officeholders, and political
committees.
Methodology
Based on the Texas Ethics Commission's experience in implementing the
electronic filing system, the agency has estimated it would take 314
hours at $100 per hour to make the required programming changes. This
estimate is based on the current Texas Ethics Commission's maintenance
cost for the electronic filing system and its experience in implementing
the current electronic filing system. Additionally, the Texas Ethics
Commission is estimating administrative costs of $116,738 for postage,
envelopes, paper, and software reproduction.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
Source Agencies: 356 Texas Ethics Commission
LBB Staff: JK, TB, GS, DB