COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. No.: 5191-02

Bill No.: HB 1869

Subject: Elections; Public Assistance; State Departments; Taxation and Revenue - General

Type: Original

Date: April 18, 2006

FISCAL SUMMARY

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.

This fiscal note contains 5 pages.

ASSUMPTION

Officials from the Department of Social Services - Family Support Division (FSD) assume this proposal would not fiscally impact the FSD if it does not jeopardize federal funding participation.

Officials from the Department of Social Services - Division of Medical Services (DMS) state since FSD assumes this proposal would not affect Medicaid eligibility, DMS assumes this proposal would have no fiscal impact.

Officials from the Missouri Department of Agriculture (AGR) assume an Account Clerk II would be required to obtain voter registration cards. AGR assumes costs would be $28,306 in FY 07, $33,308 in FY 08, and $34,143 in FY 09.

Oversight assumes AGR would not collect voter registration cards.

Officials from the Department of Mental Health (DMH) state it is uncertain how many of DMH clients this proposal would affect. DMH states Section 115.199 of Missouri State Statutes requires election authorities to remove the names of all persons adjudged incapacitated from the

ASSUMPTION (continued)

voter registration lists. Once a guardianship is issued under section 475.070.10, the person is deemed incapacitated. DMH states although it is possible for a limited guardianship to be issued that will allow a person to still exercise their right to vote, most are full guardianships where the person is found totally incapacitated.

DMH states Section 115.133 of Missouri State Statues prohibits anyone serving probation or parole, as a result of a conviction for a felony, from registering to vote. The Criminal Justice system is the largest single referral system for substance abuse treatment. DMH assumes that these individuals would no longer qualify for Medicaid, therefore the state would be responsible for 100% of the treatment costs instead of the 40% match. In addition, there are numerous homeless consumers being treated by the Comprehensive Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation (CSTAR) program they may also not be able to register to vote and would be 100% cost to the state.

DMH states while it is uncertain how many of the clients this legislation would effect, DMH assumes that there would be some who are not capable of registering to vote, but are still required to be served by DMH, even if they loose their benefits. DMH is unable to determine how many clients would loose their benefits due to this legislation; therefore, the fiscal impact to DMH is unknown.

Officials from the Coordinating Board of Higher Education (CBH) assume the fiscal impact of this proposal is unknown. For the 2005-2006 academic year, 285,214 students applied for the 7 state grant and scholarship programs administered by CBH. Certifying the voter registration status of this number of applicants would be costly. CBH assumes some portion of an FTE Research Associate position would be needed in FY 2007 for this purpose.

Officials from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) assume this proposal would result in additional duties for DESE staff. However, DESE assumes these duties can likely be absorbed with existing resources.

Officials from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DOH) assume this proposal would not fiscally impact the operations of the DOH. DOH states if a fiscal impact were to result, funds to support the program would be sought through the appropriations process.

Officials from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) state it operates the Wood Energy Tax Credit Program which would require voter registration on applications. DNR assumes there would not be a significant fiscal impact as a result of this proposal.

ASSUMPTION (continued)

Officials from the Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Missouri Development Finance Board (MDFB) assume this proposal would have an unknown impact on DED and MDFB. DED states verification would be conducted at the beginning of the year. DED states verification would take an unknown amount of time and may require some changes to forms. DED states impact is unknown and ay requires personnel or funding which would be requested at a later date through the normal budget process.

Officials from the Secretary of State assume this proposal would not fiscally impact their agency.

Oversight assumes that all individuals that currently receive state benefits and that otherwise meet voting eligibility requirements will present proof of voter registration. Oversight assumes local election authorities would work with state agencies to verify voter registration. Therefore, Oversight assumes this proposal would not fiscally impact state agencies.

FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business

No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.

DESCRIPTION

This proposal requires individuals older than 18 years of age, who are eligible to vote, to show proof of voter registration in order to receive state program tax credits, student financial aid, state business loans, Missouri Medicaid Program benefits, child care subsidies, and temporary assistance for needy families. Those receiving benefits as of August 1, 2007, must provide proof of voter registration to the relevant state agency before November 1, 2007, in order to continue

DESCRIPTION (continued)

receiving benefits. On or after November 1, 2007, eligible voters receiving benefits must show proof of registration to the relevant state agency within 120 days.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Social Services -

Family Support Division

Division of Medical Services

Missouri Department of Agriculture

Coordinating Board of Higher Education

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Department of Health and Senior Services

Department of Natural Resources

Department of Economic Development

Secretary of State

Mickey Wilson, CPA

Director

April 18, 2006