LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 20, 2009

TO:
Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB306 by Dutton (Relating to the compensation of an election judge or clerk.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB306, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($3,234,280) through the biennium ending August 31, 2011.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2010 ($3,234,280)
2011 $0
2012 ($3,234,280)
2013 $0
2014 ($3,234,280)




Fiscal Year Probable (Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1
2010 ($3,234,280)
2011 $0
2012 ($3,234,280)
2013 $0
2014 ($3,234,280)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would raise the rate paid to election judges and clerks for services rendered at a precinct polling place from the federal minimum hourly wage to be at least one and half times the federal minimum hourly wage.  The bill would raise the minimum hourly rate for primary and runoff election officers who attend training from $7 to $11.  The bill would also require payment to election judges and clerks to occur not later than 72 hours after the time the compensation statement is submitted.  The bill would be effective September 1, 2009.

Methodology

It is assumed that the cost would be $$3,234,280 in election years.  This was determined by taking the number of election workers in the 2006 primary election, multiplying by the increase in the hourly rate, and multiplying that by the average number of hours worked in 2006.


Local Government Impact

Local governments, especially those with numerous election precincts and workers, would incur additional costs that could significantly increase election costs for processing election compensation payments within 72 hours after receiving a compensation statement. Larger counties would likely have to hire temporary payroll personnel and possibly reprogram payroll systems. In addition, the process used by most counties requires approval by the commissioners court prior to making payments; therefore, there would be costs associated with calling an emergency meeting.


Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 307 Secretary of State
LBB Staff:
JOB, TP, MS, BTA