LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 30, 2013

TO:	Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1428 by Davis, Sarah (Relating to inappropriate actions by the early voting ballot board; creating an offense. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Election Code to require early voting clerks to report certain offenses committed by the early voting ballot board to the county or district attorney having jurisdiction and the secretary of state. The bill would make an offense under this section a Class A misdemeanor.

Local Government Impact

Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement would vary by locality; however, costs are not anticipated to be significant.

According to Denton County, the bill could result in an increase in the number of Class A misdemeanor offenses needed to be prosecuted by the Denton County Criminal District Attorney; however, the county indicated the costs are not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact on the affected department's current budget of $12,000,000.
 
According to Tom Green County, the investigation of offenses would be a cost driver for the county attorney's office; however, the county indicated the costs are not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.
 
Wise County reported the bill would not have a significant fiscal impact on the county attorney's office or the district attorney's office.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

UP, KJo, JI, AHE