Honorable Briscoe Cain, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB6 by Cain (Relating to election integrity and preservation of the purity of the ballot box through the prevention of fraud in the conduct of an election; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend various codes as they relate to election integrity and the prevention of fraud in the conduct of an election. Under the provisions of the bill, several new election fraud-related criminal offenses would be created punishable at the felony and misdemeanor level with the level and degree based on the specific circumstances of the offense.
The Texas Ethics Commission, Secretary of State, and Office of Court Administration indicate the modifications outlined in the bill's provisions would not result in a significant fiscal impact. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions would not result in a significant impact on the demand for state correctional resources.
Local Government Impact
The Texas Association of Counties does not anticipate a significant fiscal impact to counties.
The bill creates a Class B misdemeanor. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, 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.
The bill creates and repeals a Class A misdemeanor. 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. The creation and repeal of the Class A misdemeanors will offset any fiscal implication.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Admin, 307 Secretary of State, 356 Texas Ethics Commission