LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 13, 2009

TO:	Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1359 by Anchia (Relating to the making or acceptance of political contributions in a courthouse; providing penalties.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Election Code to add a courthouse to the locations where a person may not knowingly make or authorize or accept a political contribution to a candidate or officeholder, a political committee, or a person acting on behalf of one of those persons. An offense is a Class A misdemeanor.

A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected would not have a significant fiscal implication.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, TP, DB