Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB488 by Bettencourt (Relating to requirements for certain petitions requesting an election and ballot propositions.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Election Code and the Local Government Code relating to requirements for certain petitions requesting an election and ballot propositions.
The Secretary of State assumes any additional work associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
According to the City of Houston, the bill would have a significant fiscal impact on the City as well as all home-rule cities. The cost cannot be determined at this time because litigation and election costs vary. Additionally, costs may include an increase in cost for legal services, ballot republishing costs, and costs associated with postponed municipal financial action items due to citizen petitions.
Source Agencies:
307 Secretary of State, 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council