LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 23, 2003

TO:	Honorable Tom Craddick, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HJR59 by Uresti (Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit a person to assume an office of a political subdivision without an election if the person is the only candidate to qualify in an election for that office.), As Passed 2nd House

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated, other than the cost of publication.

The cost to the state for publication of the resolution is $85,275.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit a person to assume an office of a political subdivision without an election if the person is the only candidate to qualify in an election for that office.

The constitutional amendment would be submitted to the voters at an election held September 13, 2003.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Denton county reported that there would be minimal savings to local election offices for printing and programming costs due to smaller ballots. Larger savings could be possible if a county were to cancel an entire election, but this occurrence is extremely rare.  Fort Bend County reported that municipalities, school districts, and other local governmental entities in that county commonly cancel their elections if there are no contested races. Bexar and Victoria counties reported no significant fiscal impact.

Source Agencies:

307 Secretary of State

LBB Staff:

JK, SD, RR, GO, JF, KG