LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 17, 2009

TO:	Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1720 by Bohac (Relating to the use of public funds by a political subdivision for communications that contain false information relating to a ballot measure; providing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Election Code to prohibit an officer or employee of a political subdivision from spending or authorizing spending of public funds for a communication describing a measure if the communication contains material information that the officer or employee knows is false. A violation would be a Class A misdemeanor.

Provisions of the bill would apply only to an expenditure of public funds that is made on or after September 1, 2009.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated as a result of enforcement actions, prosecution, or imposition of punishment for an offense committed.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, TP, DB