Honorable Paul Bettencourt, Chair, Senate Committee on Property Tax
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1224 by Bettencourt (Relating to the election date for the authorization of the issuance of bonds.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Texas Election Code to require that all bond elections take place on the November uniform election date. It further provides that if the governor determines an emergency warrants holding a bond election before the November uniform date, the election may be held on the May uniform election date.
According to the Secretary of State, the bill would have no significant fiscal impact as the office could revise training materials within existing resources.
According to the Office of the Governor, no fiscal implication to the office is anticipated.
According to the Bond Review Board (BRB), the impact of the bill on state debt cannot be determined at this point.
According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), no fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
According to BRB, between calendar years 2014 and 2018, there were an estimated 639 debt election propositions in May compared to 647 debt election propositions in November. The agency states that the fiscal impact on units of local government from changing election dates cannot be determined at this point.
According to TEA, holding elections on uniform dates may allow school districts to split the cost of these elections with other jurisdictions holding elections. These elections may be at an increased cost because of additional polling places and increased advertisements.
Source Agencies:
300 Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor, 307 Secretary of State, 352 Bond Review Board, 701 Texas Education Agency