LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 18, 2009

TO:	Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1310 by Duncan (Relating to a program allowing for countywide voting locations in certain elections.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Secretary of State (SOS) to implement a program to allow each commissioners court participating in the program to eliminate county election precincts and establish countywide polling places for certain elections. In conducting the program, SOS would be required to provide for an audit of the direct recording electronic voting units. SOS would only select three counties with a population of 100,000 or more and two counties with a population of less than 100,000 to participate in the program. The bill would require SOS to file a report with the legislature not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2009.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. It is assumed that a commissioners court of a county would elect to participate in the countywide polling place program only if funds are available.

Source Agencies:

307 Secretary of State

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, MS, BTA, TP