LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 20, 2001 TO: Honorable Debra Danburg, Chair, House Committee on Elections FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB3221 by Madden (Relating to requirements for providing voting systems accessible to persons with physical disabilities.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** Local Government Impact The bill would require that a political subdivision that acquires a new voting system or substantially modifies an existing system ensure accessibility to persons with physical disabilities and provide these voters with a practical and effective means to cast an independent and secret ballot. Under the provisions of the bill, political subdivisions would not be required to place a newly acquired voting system in each polling place. Travis County officials reported that they are in the process of changing their voting system to meet standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The county anticipates an additional cost of $4.6 million. Costs would vary by county, depending on how many systems would be installed. An electronic voting system that meets the necessary standards costs approximately $3,500 per machine. Source Agencies: 307 Secretary of State LBB Staff: JK, TB, SK, DB