LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
February 28, 2007

TO:
Honorable Leo Berman, Chair, House Committee on Elections
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB265 by Anchia (Relating to the registration of voters at a polling place and related procedures.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB265, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($2,917,460) through the biennium ending August 31, 2009.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2008 ($2,917,460)
2009 $0
2010 ($2,917,460)
2011 $0
2012 ($2,917,460)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2008 ($2,917,460)
2009 $0
2010 ($2,917,460)
2011 $0
2012 ($2,917,460)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require that two voter registrars be present at each polling place and would authorize election date voter registration for persons not registered to vote. 

Methodology

During the 2006 primary elections, there were 9,526 polling places.  Assuming that 2 additional clerks would be hired at each polling place for 14 hours at $7 per hour, the cost would be $1,867,096.  The 2006 primary run-off elections had 5,359 polling places and assuming 2 additional clerks at each location for 14 hours at $7 per hour, the cost would be $1,050,364.  The total estimated cost to implement the provisions of the bill would be $2,917,460 every other year.

Technology

No fiscal impact to technology is anticipated due to the implementation of the provisions of the bill.

Local Government Impact

Costs to elections administration offices would be for salaries for the required voter registrars. Lubbock County reported requiring 134 new staff at a cost of $42,000 per year. Dallas County reported requiring staff costing $610,000 per year in presidential election years (2008 and 2012) and $507,000 in other years. Harris County would need 1,500 additional personnel at a cost of $180,000 in even-numbered years and $540,000 in odd-numbered years. Randall County would need 64 additional personnel and $11,136 for each election in the first year, with additional costs due to population growth and cost of living increases.



Source Agencies:
307 Secretary of State
LBB Staff:
JOB, MN, MS, KJG