| TO: | Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB2524 by Anchia (Relating to the accuracy, security, and reliability of certain electronic voting systems.), As Engrossed |
The bill would establish certain criteria relating to the accuracy, security, and reliability of certain electronic voting systems.
The bill would amend the Election Code requiring electronic voting records produced by direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machines to be preserved in a secure container. A general custodian of election records would be required to immediately verify that a new system is certified by the Secretary of State (SOS), perform a hardware and diagnostic test, and a logic and accuracy test on the system.
The bill would become effective September 1, 2009.
The Texas Association of Counties reported that DRE voting machines are used by 157 of the 254 counties based on a September 2008 report by the Secretary of State; therefore, the costs to counties would be significant to comply with the provisions of the bill. Several counties provided information relating to the fiscal impact.
Howard County reported the costs would be an estimated $5,500 for 2010, which includes 1 new employee salary and benefits ($5,000), and secure storage containers and seals ($500).
Harris County reported the costs would be an estimated $15,500 for 2010, which includes compensation for members of the testing board, and additional publishing costs.
Dallas County reported the costs would be an estimated $2,085,000 million for 2010, which includes purchase of new printers, accessories, voting booths (Dallas County has 1,300 machines at an estimated cost of $1,400 per machine = $1.82 million), and new operational costs for paper, supplies, annual maintenance contract for equipment ($265,000).
| Source Agencies: | 307 Secretary of State
|
| LBB Staff: | JOB, KJG, TP, BTA
|