The fiscal note for SB 62 from the Legislative Budget Board indicates that the bill would not have a significant fiscal impact on the state or local governments. The bill, which modifies the Election Code to allow a child under 14 years of age to read or mark a ballot at the direction of a parent, is not expected to require additional resources or administrative expenses at the state level. The Texas Secretary of State, the primary agency overseeing elections, does not anticipate any significant cost implications resulting from the bill's passage.

Similarly, local governments are not expected to incur any additional financial burdens. Since the bill does not mandate new programs, personnel, or infrastructure changes, it does not impose direct costs on counties or local election officials. The original bill, which included a requirement for voter education materials, might have carried minor administrative costs, but the committee substitute version removes this requirement, further reducing any potential fiscal impact.

In conclusion, SB 62 is fiscally neutral, making no material changes that would increase expenditures at either the state or local level.

Texas Policy Research is NEUTRAL on SB 62 because while the bill clarifies an ambiguous election procedure, it does not address a significant policy gap or fundamentally alter voting rights or election security. Existing law already permits children to accompany their parents in the voting booth, and while there may be some uncertainty regarding whether a child may read or mark a ballot, there is little evidence that this issue has caused widespread confusion or enforcement challenges. Since the bill merely codifies what is likely an assumed practice, it does not represent a substantial policy shift, making it legislatively unnecessary in practical terms.

Furthermore, the bill does not expand individual liberty in a meaningful way nor does it limit government intervention in a manner that would significantly affect election operations. While it may encourage early civic engagement, it does not create new voting rights or streamline the electoral process in a way that has a measurable impact. If cases of election officials interfering with child participation in marking ballots have been rare or isolated, then this bill may be more of a symbolic clarification than a necessary legal protection. In that sense, the bill neither justifies strong support nor strong opposition, keeping it in neutral territory.

Additionally, potential concerns about election integrity, though minor, do exist. While the bill states that a child marking a ballot does not constitute "voter assistance" under existing election law, it introduces a gray area in accountability. Unlike official voter assistance, where an election official or registered assistant must be documented, a child marking a parent's ballot could, in rare cases, raise questions about voter intent. If the law does not require oversight or verification of the child's role, then enforcement inconsistencies may arise. However, since the fiscal note confirms no significant financial impact on state or local governments, this concern is unlikely to create administrative burdens.

Ultimately, a neutral stance acknowledges that SB 62 is a well-intentioned but low-impact bill. While it does not introduce harmful changes, it also does not meaningfully improve election procedures, personal liberties, or government efficiency.

• HB 429 (Similar To)