TO:	Honorable Briscoe Cain, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB782 by Swanson (Relating to requirements for certain petitions requesting an election and ballot propositions.), As Introduced

The bill would amend the Election Code and the Local Government Code related to requirements for certain petitions and ballot propositions.  The bill would authorize the Secretary of State (SOS) to review certain propositions and establishes remedies including a potential review of future propositions.  The bill would direct the SOS to prescribe a form, content, and procedure for a city petition.

The SOS indicates the bill would require additional legal review by the agency; however, the agency could absorb these costs within existing resources.

According to the Office of Court Administration, the bill could result in increased caseloads but no significant impact to the state court system is anticipated.

Local Government Impact

According to the Texas Association of Counties, the bill will not have a significant fiscal impact on counties.