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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Romero DATE TYPED: 02/08/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Extend Mail Ballot Election Act SB 355
ANALYST: Woodlee


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 1,000.0 Recurring General Fund



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Secretary of State



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 355 appropriates $1,000.0 from the general fund to the Secretary of State for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 for the purpose of conducting an all-mail ballot election for constitutional amendments and state bond elections.



Significant Issues



The bill amends the Mail Ballot Election Act to provide that the Secretary of State shall conduct all-mailed ballot for ratification of constitutional amendments and state bond issues for general elections. In addition, the bill provides that the Secretary of State must mail an absentee ballot no earlier than the fortieth day before the election to each registered voter in each county. The completed ballots will be mailed to a central location, determined by the Secretary of State. The ballot will include a statement indicating only mail-ballots will be accepted for the question and information on the deadline for receiving votes.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $1,000.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal 2003 shall revert to the general fund.



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