LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 11, 2005

TO:	Honorable Mary Denny, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1104 by Villarreal (Relating to limits on political contributions and direct campaign expenditures by individuals; providing civil and criminal penalties.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill amends the Election Code and provides limits on political contributions made and authorized by individuals during an election cycle and defines certain direct expenditures as contributions. The bill does not apply to local candidates and officeholders. The bill also requires that the Texas Ethics Commission review its records in each odd-numbered year to find individuals who exceeded the limit and make that information available to the public. It is assumed that any additional duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing state resources.

The bill would take effect on September 1, 2005

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

356 Texas Ethics Commission

LBB Staff:

JOB, LB, JM