According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), SB 875 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the state. The bill creates new Class A misdemeanor offenses for school board trustees and superintendents who use school district resources for electioneering, as well as a Class B misdemeanor for campus administrators who allow unauthorized political signage on school premises outside of designated election periods.

The fiscal note assumes that any impact on state correctional populations or demand for state correctional resources would be negligible. This suggests that enforcement of the new offenses will not substantially increase state expenditures related to law enforcement or incarceration.

At the local government level, the bill may introduce minor enforcement, prosecution, supervision, or court-related costs. However, the financial burden on school districts and local law enforcement is expected to be minimal, as the overall number of offenses is anticipated to be low. The costs incurred by local courts will depend on the frequency of violations and associated legal proceedings.

In summary, SB 875 does not impose a significant financial burden on the state or local governments and is primarily focused on ensuring compliance with ethical election practices within school districts without substantial fiscal consequences.

SB 875 strengthens election integrity and accountability by prohibiting independent school district (ISD) trustees and superintendents from using public resources for electioneering. Under current Texas law, while school officials are restricted from engaging in political advocacy using district resources, there is no enforcement mechanism or penalty for violations. This bill closes that loophole by establishing a Class A misdemeanor for school board members and superintendents who use district funds, emails, phones, mailing lists, or school property for political purposes. Additionally, it creates a Class B misdemeanor for school campus administrators who allow political signage to remain on school property for more than 48 hours outside of an authorized election period.

This legislation upholds core liberty principles by ensuring limited government and personal responsibility among school officials, preventing them from leveraging taxpayer-funded resources for partisan purposes. It also protects free enterprise by maintaining a level electoral playing field without unfair advantages from publicly funded institutions. Furthermore, the bill reinforces transparency and fairness in Texas elections, ensuring that school districts remain neutral spaces in political campaigns.

Given its alignment with principles of good governance, fiscal responsibility, and election integrity, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on SB 875 in support of fair and transparent election practices in Texas school districts.