LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 26, 2009

TO:	Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB251 by Berman (Relating to the use of public resources to make communications that contain political advertising; providing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would modify Section 255.003 of the Election Code to prohibit the distribution of political advertising using internal or electronic mail systems operated or maintained by a state agency.

The provisions of the bill would apply only to an offense committed on or after September 1, 2009. An offense committed before that date is covered by the law that was in effect when the offense was committed and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, TP, KJG