Honorable Phil King, Chair, House Committee on Redistricting
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3928 by Neave (Relating to the Texas Redistricting Commission.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill sets forth provisions regarding the Texas Redistricting Commission, including the selection of Commission members, organization of the Commission, the Commissions powers and duties, and administrative resources for the Commission. The State Auditor (SAO) must initiate the application process for selecting Commission members by January 1 of each census year, and the Secretary of State (SOS) is responsible for providing administrative support to the commission in each census year until the Commission's staff and office are "fully functional". The Commission is permitted to hire employees, legal counsel, and consultants, as needed.
As written, the Texas Legislative Council (TLC) would be precluded by Section 581.153(e) of the bill from participating in the redistricting process. Currently, TLC dedicates 17 FTEs to redistricting with an annual cost of approximately $2,000,000 for salaries, benefits, and operating costs. If this function is transferred from TLC to the Commission, the cost would be offset by a savings at TLC. If the cost is not offset by savings at TLC, there would be a new cost of approximately $2,000,000 per year, as well as initial start-up costs of approximately $350,000 in the first year.
It is assumed that the additional responsibilities for the SAO and SOS resulting from the passage of the bill could be reasonably absorbed within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
103 Legislative Council, 300 Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 307 Secretary of State, 308 State Auditor's Office