The bill, S.B. No. 1192, mandates that the ballot for elections proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution must include an estimate of the anticipated cost to the state associated with the proposed amendment. This requirement is introduced by amending Section 274.001 of the Election Code to include a new subsection (d), which stipulates that the Secretary of State is responsible for preparing this cost estimate for each proposition. The Secretary may also seek assistance from the Legislative Budget Board in preparing the estimate.

Additionally, the bill modifies Section 274.003(a) of the Election Code to require that the cost estimate be certified for placement on the ballot alongside the wording of the proposition and its number. The changes will apply only to ballots for elections on proposed constitutional amendments ordered after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. The previous law will remain in effect for elections ordered before this date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 274.001, Election Code 274.003 (Election Code 274)