LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 18, 2011

TO:
Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
 
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1616 by Geren (Relating to the reporting of political contributions, political expenditures, and personal financial information, and to complaints filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Election Code to make additions to the list of information that must be included on campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission (Commission), and changes the reporting threshhold for political contributions from $50 to $100. The bill would also change the procedures for filing amended reports to the Commission. Finally, the bill would revise the procedures for dismissal of complaints challenging certain information in political reports made to the Commission.

 

It is anticipated that the increase in the reporting threshhold could result in some savings due to decreased filings with the Commission. It is also anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources.

 

The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
356 Texas Ethics Commission
LBB Staff:
JOB, KJG, MS, DEH, JT