LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 15, 2009

TO:
Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB283 by Anchia (Relating to prohibited deceptive election practices; providing a criminal penalty.), 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, 2009.


Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Costs to local governments to implement the provisions of the bill would vary depending upon the number of offenders; however, according to the Department of Criminal Justice, the 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, TP, BTA