LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 16, 2007

TO:	Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB89 by Branch (Relating to an exemption for certain political committees from the imposition of civil penalties for violating requirements for reporting political contributions and expenditures.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would provide a general purpose committee an exemption from civil penalty if the committee did not accept political contributions totaling $3,000 or more or make or authorize political expenses totaling $3,000 or more. The bill also would require the Texas Ethics Commission to submit a report to the legislature on the impacts and effects of Section 254.164, Election Code, by December 31, 2008.

It is assumed that any additional costs associated with implementation of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

356 Texas Ethics Commission

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, MN, JM