Honorable Stephanie Klick, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB377 by Lang (Relating to requiring a voter to be affiliated with a political party to vote in that party's primary election or otherwise participate in that party's affairs; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB377, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($316,800) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2020
($316,800)
2021
$0
2022
$0
2023
$0
2024
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2020
($316,800)
2021
$0
2022
$0
2023
$0
2024
$0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill amends the Election Code to require political party affiliation on voter registration applications, and to require political party affiliation to participate in primary elections. The bill takes effect September 1, 2019.
Methodology
Based on analysis by the Secretary of State and the Department of Public Safety, the provisions of the bill relating to voter registration would result in one-time implementation costs. These costs would be used to modify forms, as well as the Texas Elections Administration Management (TEAM) system and the Driver License System (DLS). This analysis assumes the cost of modifying DLS and other drivers license forms could be absorbed within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
The Bexar County Elections Department expects a significant fiscal impact of roughly $200,000 for card processing plus approximately $57,000 for additional poll staff.
The Texas Association of Counties anticipates a significant fiscal impact on the election departments in Aransas, Cameron, Williamson and Young. However, those counties were not able to provide an estimate of the impact.
Source Agencies:
307 Secretary of State, 405 Department of Public Safety