Bill > HB35

This bill requires that ballot language for proposed state constitutional amendments now include an estimate of the fiscal impact prepared by the Legislative Budget Board (LBB). Specifically, the bill mandates that for each constitutional amendment, the secretary of state must include a statement on the ballot indicating the estimated cost or savings to the state, either as a recurring annual cost/savings or a one-time cost/savings. The LBB will be responsible for determining the estimated financial impact as soon as possible after the legislature enacts a joint resolution to amend the constitution, considering factors such as previous fiscal calculations and existing appropriations. The bill provides two standardized statement formats: one for recurring costs and another for one-time costs, both prefaced with language noting the estimate is subject to future legislative actions. These new ballot disclosure requirements will apply only to elections on constitutional amendments ordered on or after the bill's effective date, which is 91 days after the end of the legislative session, and the secretary of state is authorized to adopt rules to implement these new provisions.

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=891&Bill=HB35