LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 8, 2005

TO:	Honorable Fred Hill, Chair, House Committee on Local Government Ways & Means
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1334 by Riddle (Relating to the election of the members of an appraisal review board.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

This bill would require the election of appraisal review board (ARB) members by county voters.  Candidates would file for election by paying a $300 filing fee in a county with a population of 250,000 or more, and $100 in a county with a population of under 250,000.  An ARB vacancy would be filled by appointment by the commissioners court.

The Secretary of State staff estimates that an additional $257,400 in filing fees would be realized each biennium.  This amount is based upon 238 counties with a population of less than 250,000 generating $214,200 in filing fees, and 16 counties with a population of 250,000 or more generating $43,200 in filing fees.  These fees would be remitted to each party's county executive committees to pay for the cost of the primary elections.  Any filing fees collected in excess of election costs would be remitted to the Secretary of State and deposited in the State Treasury to be used for the costs of other elections.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 307 Secretary of State

LBB Staff:

JOB, SD, WP, DLBe