Honorable Bill Ratliff, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SJR51 by Van de Putte (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 Introduced
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.
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.