Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB76 by Israel (Relating to electronic voter registration.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB76, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($208,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2016
($208,000)
2017
$0
2018
$0
2019
$0
2020
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2016
($208,000)
2017
$0
2018
$0
2019
$0
2020
$0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Secretary of State (SOS) to implement a program to allow a person who has a valid driver's license or state personal identification card to complete a voter registration application over the Internet from certain websites. The bill would require SOS to obtain a digital copy of the applicant's signature from the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The bill would also require SOS to adopt rules including rules to provide for additional security measures.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2015.
Methodology
Under the provisions of the bill, it is assumed the fiscal impact would be $208,000 in fiscal year 2016 for technology related costs, and $0 each fiscal year from 2017-2020.
Technology
The SOS indicates that they would need to program the necessary software to implement the provisions of the bill and to import, verify, secure, and store the applicant's digital signature. It is assumed that the SOS would need two contractors at $100.00 per hour for 1,040 hours each for a total of $208,000 in fiscal year 2016.
In addition, DPS estimates there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of the bill.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
307 Secretary of State, 405 Department of Public Safety