LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 24, 2009

TO:	Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3048 by Farias (Relating to the availability on the Internet of reports of political expenditures and contributions filed in connection with certain county and municipal offices.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Election Code to require each county clerk to make a political report filed with the clerk in connection with a county office or the office of county commissioner available to the public on the county's Internet website not later than the second business day after the date the report is filed.

The bill would amend the Election Code to impose the same requirement on the clerk of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more regarding the office of mayor or member of the municipality's governing body.

Effective January 1, 2010, Section 176.009(b), Local Government Code, would be repealed. This section of the Local Government Code imposes the requirements that would be added to the Election Code, except that the current statute applies only to a county with a population of 800,000 or more and to a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more.

Local Government Impact

For counties with a population of 800,000 or more, there would be no fiscal impact. For counties of less than 800,000, it is anticipated that there would be no significant fiscal impact. There would be no fiscal impact to affected municipalities.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, TP, DB