LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 5, 2005

TO:	Honorable Ray Allen, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB757 by Farabee (Relating to the authority of a county to enact certain land development regulations after a local option election.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would add Subchapter F to Chapter 232, Local Government Code, to authorize a county commissioners court to regulate land development in the unincorporated area of the county upon approval by the voters in an election. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives the required two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect immediately.

Local Government Impact

A county would initially experience election costs. Based on costs reported to the Secretary of State in the summer of 2004 by a sampling of counties, municipalities, and special districts, the average cost incurred by a local government entity for an election is $1.29 per registered voter. The election cost would vary by county. If a special election were to be held on a uniform election date other than the general election date, the local government would incur the full costs associated with conducting the special election (pay to workers, fee for use of polling locations, publishing notice in newspapers, printing of ballots).

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated beyond the costs of an election.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, DLBa