Honorable Matt Shaheen, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB311 by Bucy (Relating to electronic voter registration.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB311, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. There would be a cost to the Statewide Network Applications Account of $3,216,860 for the 2026-27 biennium. Any increases in costs out of this account would result in a decrease in transfers of revenues to the General Revenue Fund by the same amount.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2026
$0
2027
$0
2028
$0
2029
$0
2030
$0
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from Statewide Network Apps Acct - AR 8143
2026
($2,158,430)
2027
($1,058,430)
2028
($1,058,430)
2029
($1,058,430)
2030
($1,058,430)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Election Code to require that the Secretary of State (SOS) collaborate with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Department of Information Resources (DIR) to implement an online voter registration system on the official website of this state. The internet websites for DPS and SOS would be required to provide a link to this system. The system would require that a digital copy of an applicant's signature be obtained from DPS. The state electronic Internet portal project would be used to authenticate the identity and address of a person who submits an application electronically; this analysis assumes the state electronic Internet portal project refers to the project governed by Government Code, Section 2054.252, and administered by DIR.
Methodology
It is assumed that costs related to the establishment and operation of the system at SOS could be absorbed within existing resources.
According to DPS, no significant fiscal impact is anticipated; however, the agency indicates that programming requirements resulting from this bill could delay the implementation beyond the effective date of the bill.
Technology
According to DIR and information provided by SOS, there are approximately 1,000,000 new voter registrations every two years. DIR also assumes an additional 30 percent for individuals that would be required to resubmit. DIR estimates identity proofing and document verification with biometric comparison of identification card and photos for 650,000 transactions per year would be $2,158,430 in fiscal year 2026 and $1,058,430 in each subsequent fiscal year based on the contracted rate for third party identity proofing services. The cost would be paid out of the Statewide Network Applications Account which receives various fees from transactions through the Texas.gov state Internet portal. Any increases out of the account would result in a decrease in transfer of revenues to the General Revenue Fund.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
307 Secretary of State, 313 Department of Information Resources, 405 Department of Public Safety