LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 25, 2007

TO:	Honorable Leo Berman, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2035 by Anchia (Relating to prohibited deceptive or disenfranchising practices regarding an election; providing criminal penalties.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would establish additional prohibited actions with respect to elections, including restricting a voter’s right to vote, with criminal penalties and deceptive election practices, for which criminal penalties apply for intentional action. Upon receipt from the Secretary of State of notification of a violation, the Attorney General would bring civil action for relief against a person who violates the proposed statute. The bill would expand the duties of the Secretary of State with respect to reporting to the legislature for any such violations.  

It is anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the bill would be paid out of existing rsources.

The bill would be effective September 1, 2007.

Local Government Impact

Costs to local governments to implement the provisions of the bill would depend upon the number of offenders. These costs are not expected to be significant.

Source Agencies:

302 Office of the Attorney General, 307 Secretary of State, 696 Department of Criminal Justice

LBB Staff:

JOB, MN, MS, KJG