LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 19, 2003

TO:	Honorable Mary Denny, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1943 by Howard (Relating to the payment of postage on voter registration applications.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1943, As Introduced: a positive impact of $346,000 through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.

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
2004	$200,000
2005	$146,000
2006	$200,000
2007	$146,000
2008	$200,000

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1
2004	$200,000
2005	$146,000
2006	$200,000
2007	$146,000
2008	$200,000

Fiscal Analysis

The bill removes the business reply requirement on the official voter registration application, and would require voters to pay for their own U.S. postage if they choose to mail in the voter registration card.

Methodology

Based on actual numbers from past fiscal years, the Secretary of State estimates $346,000 would be spent a biennium on postage via the business reply account for voters who choose to register by mail. 

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:	307 Secretary Of State
LBB Staff:	JK, GO, MS, JF, KG