LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 25, 2009

TO:	Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1927 by Farias (Relating to Voter Education Week.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1927, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($13,694,000) 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.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2010	($6,847,000)
2011	($6,847,000)
2012	($6,847,000)
2013	($6,847,000)
2014	($6,847,000)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2010	($6,847,000)
2011	($6,847,000)
2012	($6,847,000)
2013	($6,847,000)
2014	($6,847,000)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would designate the second week of September as Voter Education Week.  The bill would require the Secretary of State (SOS) to develop a program that raises awareness about voter registration and balloting procedures and educates the public about the candidates and issues through nonpartisan voter guides and public forums.  SOS would be allowed to distribute sample ballots, record public service announcements, and utilize other public awareness methods as part of the program.  SOS in cooperation with voter registrars would be allowed to promote Voter Education Week through a coordinated program.  SOS would be required to report on the implementation of this section and the effectiveness of the program in increasing voter registration and turnout to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives not later than January 31 of each odd-numbered year.  The bill would be effective September 1, 2009.

Methodology

Secretary of State (SOS) assumes that a voter guide would need to be developed at a cost of $924,000 for 7,000,000 copies and then mailed to the 7,000,000 households that have registered voters at a cost of $5,600,000 in postage.  SOS states that their voter guide assumptions are consistent with the approach several other states have taken in regards to voter guides.  In addition, SOS assumes that it would cost $323,000 to produce a public service announcement.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

307 Secretary of State

LBB Staff:

JOB, TP, MS, BTA