LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: HB 388 HLS 21RS 957
Bill Text Version: ENROLLED
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.:
Date: June 9, 2021 10:38 AM Author: HARRIS, LANCE
Dept./Agy.: Secretary of State
Subject: 3 Days to Prepare, Verify Absentee and Early Voting Ballot Analyst: Patrice Thomas
ELECTIONS EN +$129,600 GF EX See Note Page 1 of 1
Provides relative to the preparation and verification process of absentee and early voting ballots prior to election day
Present law provides parishes that receive over 1,000 absentee mail ballots returned to the Registrar of Voters for a primary
and general election may begin the preparation and verification process for the tabulation and counting of absentee and
early voting ballots four (4) days before the election. With the written approval of the Secretary of State, proposed law
provides that all parishes may begin the process three (3) days before the election. Proposed law deletes present law
regarding elections impaired as a result of a declared disaster or emergency, which was set to become void on 08/01/2021.
EXPENDITURES 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $129,600 $129,600 $129,600 $129,600 $129,600 $648,000
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total $129,600 $129,600 $129,600 $129,600 $129,600 $648,000
REVENUES 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
EXPENDITURE EXPLANATION
Proposed law may increase SGF expenditures by up to $129,600 within the Secretary of State as the result of adding
additional three (3) extra days to the number of days that Parish Board of Election Supervisors members may be
compensated for the preparation and verification process for the tabulation and counting of absentee and early voting
ballots. The proposed law requires the parishes to request approval from the Secretary of State.
Each Parish Board of Supervisors has 5 members that receive a $50 per diem for each meeting day. Also, each Parish Board
of Election Supervisors utilizes election commissioners to assist with counting. Adding one meeting to each election for
absentee ballot counting for each parish could cost $250 per day (5 board members x $50). Based on actual costs for the
November 2020 election, an average of 272 election commissioners was utilized to assist the counting process.
Commissioners receive compensation of $100 per day. Adding one extra day would cost $425 per day (4.25 commissioners
per parish x $100 per day). The total cost for one additional day per parish is $675 ($250 for board members + $425 for
election commissioners). The cost for one additional day for all 64 parishes is $43,200 ($675 x 64). If the Secretary of
State approves 3 additional days for all 64 parishes, the total cost is $129,600 ($43,200 x 3 days) under this measure.
The number of parishes that will seek approval from the Secretary of State for additional days as well as the number of
board commissioners that will be requested under this measure is indeterminable. The fiscal note assumes all 64 parishes
will request the 3 additional days for one election per year. To the extent that not all parishes request additional days or
additional board commissioners, the anticipated costs will decrease accordingly.
REVENUE EXPLANATION
There is no anticipated direct material effect on governmental revenues as a result of this measure.
Senate Dual Referral Rules House
x 13.5.1 >= $100,000 Annual Fiscal Cost {S & H} x 6.8(F)(1) >= $100,000 SGF Fiscal Cost {H & S}
13.5.2 >= $500,000 Annual Tax or Fee Alan M. Boxberger
6.8(G) >= $500,000 Tax or Fee Increase
Change {S & H} or a Net Fee Decrease {S} Staff Director


Statutes affected:
HB388 Original: 18:423(J), 18:1(A), 18:1315(B)
HB388 Engrossed: 18:423(J), 18:1(A), 18:1315(B)
HB388 Reengrossed: 18:423(J), 18:1(A), 18:1315(B)
HB388 Enrolled: 18:423(J), 18:1(A), 18:1315(B)
HB388 Act 423: 18:423(J), 18:1(A), 18:1315(B)