Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB658 by Bernal (Relating to priority voting for voters with certain disabilities substantially impairing mobility.), As Passed 2nd House
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Election Code allowing an election officer to give priority to a person who has a mobility problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to ambulate. A notice must be posted at one or more locations in each polling place, on the website of the Secretary of State, and on the website relating to elections maintained by a county.
The bill would amend the Election Code and Health and Safety Code allowing certain persons at a residential care facility to request a mail in ballot and allow early voting at residential care facilities.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
The Secretary of State anticipates being able to carry out any additional responsibilities from the bill with existing resources.
Local Government Impact
According to Williamson County and the Texas Association of Counties, the potential local government cost to implement the early voting at residential care facilities would be significant but cannot be estimated currently.