Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3177 by Bohac (Relating to requiring a candidate nominated by convention to pay a filing fee or file a petition as a qualification to appear on the ballot for the general election for state and county officers; imposing a fee.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Election Code to require a candidate nominated by a convention to pay a filling fee or file a petition as a qualification to appear on the ballot for the general election for state and county officers. The bill would require that a filing fee received by the Secretary of State (SOS) be deposited in a special account in the General Revenue Fund, to be appropriated to the Secretary of State for programs related to ballot security. It would also require the SOS to prescribe the deadline for a fee payment or filing as required by the bill.
The bill would do one or more of the following: create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a special or trust fund either with or outside of the Treasury, or create a dedicated revenue source. The fund, account, or revenue dedication included in this bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.
The SOS has identified two political parties that which the provisions of the bill would apply, with a potential increase in related filing fees of $265,325 for the biennium for nominated candidates
The SOS and the Comptroller of Public Accounts indicate that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within the agency's existing resources.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2013.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 307 Secretary of State