LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 3, 2011

TO:	Honorable Larry Taylor, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB304 by Pena (Relating to limiting the amount of assistance a person may provide a voter; providing a civil penalty.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require a person who assists a voter to be a registered voter of the county in which the election is being held and would require the assistant to provide a photograph identification for to an election officer to enter the person’s name and address on the poll list beside the voter’s name.  The bill would make it a civil penalty, not to exceed $10,000, for anyone who assisted more than two voters in a day.  The bill would also allow the Office of Attorney General or the appropriate district or county attorney to bring suit to recover a penalty.  It is anticipated that any costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources.  The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 307 Secretary of State, 405 Department of Public Safety

LBB Staff:

JOB, JT, BTA, ESi