Honorable Larry Taylor, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2194 by Taylor, Larry (relating to the conduct and administration of elections.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend sections of the Election Code and Government Code related to the conduct and administration of elections. The presiding judge would have the authority to observe assistance being provided to a voter to ensure compliance with relevant laws. Upon the request of a watcher, two election officers affiliated or aligned with different parties, or two election officer affiliated with the same party if there are not two or more election officers in the same place aligned with different parties would be required to observe the assistance provided to a voter to ensure compliance with relevant laws.
The Secretary of State would be required to determine the successfulness of a county’s participation in a countywide polling place program. The Secretary of State reported any costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources. The bill would be effective September 1, 2011.
Local Government Impact
Fiscal impact to local governments would vary by locality depending on whether or not a commissioners court participates in the program; however, costs are not anticipated to be significant.
According to the Texas Association of Counties, Lubbock County, Tarrant County, and Ward County reported no fiscal impact is anticipated.