Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3686 by Swanson (Relating to the acceptance of a voter at a polling place; creating an offense; increasing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Election Code relating to the acceptance of a voter at a polling place; creating an offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
The Secretary of State, Office of Court Administration, and Department of Criminal Justice assume any additional work associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions for criminal offenses would not result in a significant impact on state correctional agencies.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.
This analysis assumes that, dependent upon the policies of individual counties, there may be a cost to counties associated with photographing the faces of voters who cast a provisional ballot using secure equipment and software.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 307 Secretary of State, 696 Department of Criminal Justice