H.B. No. 565 mandates that the ballot for elections proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution must include an estimate of the fiscal impact of the proposed amendment. The bill amends Section 274.001 of the Election Code to add a new requirement for the Secretary of State to prepare specific statements regarding the estimated costs associated with the amendments. These statements will indicate whether the amendment incurs a recurring or one-time cost, as determined by the Legislative Budget Board, and will include the estimated financial implications over a specified period.

Additionally, the bill modifies Section 274.003(a) to require the inclusion of the cost estimate statement on the ballot alongside the wording of the proposition and its number. It also updates Section 314.001 of the Government Code to establish a system for fiscal notes that will assess the probable costs of constitutional amendments. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to ballots for elections ordered after this date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 274.001, Election Code 274.003 (Election Code 274)
House Committee Report: Election Code 274.001, Election Code 274.003, Government Code 314.001 (Government Code 314, Election Code 274)
Engrossed: Election Code 274.001, Election Code 274.003, Government Code 314.001 (Government Code 314, Election Code 274)