The bill, S.B. No. 1192, proposes a requirement for the ballot of any election concerning amendments to the Texas state constitution to include an estimate of the anticipated cost to the state associated with the proposed amendment. Specifically, it amends Section 274.001 of the Election Code to add a new subsection (d), which mandates that the Secretary of State prepare a cost estimate for each proposed constitutional amendment. This estimate must reflect the anticipated financial impact during the state fiscal biennium in which the amendment would take effect if approved. The Secretary of State is also permitted to seek assistance from the Legislative Budget Board in preparing these estimates.

Additionally, the bill modifies Section 274.003(a) of the Election Code by requiring that the cost estimate be included in the certification for placement on the ballot, alongside the wording of the proposition and its number. The bill allows the Secretary of State to adopt necessary rules for implementing this new requirement. The changes will apply only to ballots for elections on proposed constitutional amendments ordered after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that any elections ordered prior to this date will follow the existing law.

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