According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 1091 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the state. According to the fiscal note dated May 2, 2025, it is assumed that any costs associated with the implementation of the bill can be managed within existing state resources. Therefore, the state government would not need to allocate additional funding specifically for this legislation.

Regarding the impact on local government, the LBB also determined that the bill would not result in significant fiscal implications for local units of government. This assessment was made based on input from the Secretary of State's office and the LBB staff, who concluded that local governments would be able to accommodate any procedural changes mandated by the bill without incurring substantial additional expenses.

In summary, the implementation of HB 1091 would not require significant new funding or financial adjustments from either state or local governments, as existing resources are deemed sufficient to handle the bill’s requirements.

HB 1091 addresses critical issues related to the timeliness and transparency of early voting procedures, specifically focusing on mail-in ballots. The bill aims to mitigate concerns about delayed reporting of voting results, which can undermine public confidence and increase the perception of election fraud. By eliminating the provision allowing mail-in ballots to arrive the day after election day if postmarked on time, the bill ensures that all counted ballots are received by the time the polls close on election day. This change enhances the integrity and certainty of election outcomes, aligning with the principle of Limited Government by establishing clear, enforceable guidelines that reduce the risk of delayed or disputed results.

The bill also improves Individual Liberty by fostering a more transparent election process. Requiring timely reporting of early voting results helps ensure that all voters, regardless of how they cast their ballots, can trust the promptness and accuracy of the final tally. Furthermore, the streamlined and uniform deadlines for submitting and counting mail-in ballots promote Personal Responsibility, as voters will have clearer expectations for when their ballots must be submitted. The inclusion of advance notice requirements for delivering early voting materials to party chairs and public postings of counting schedules also reinforces Transparency and public accountability.

From a Free Enterprise perspective, the bill’s predictable and standardized procedures reduce administrative burdens on election officials and create a consistent process across counties. Moreover, by giving the Secretary of State rulemaking authority to implement these changes, the bill supports efficient and flexible management of election practices. In terms of Private Property Rights, the bill does not directly address property issues but indirectly supports the public’s right to free and fair elections by clarifying ballot-handling procedures.

In summary, HB 1091 promotes fair, transparent, and timely elections while maintaining clear rules that support both voter responsibility and governmental accountability. Given its alignment with core liberty principles, particularly Limited Government, Individual Liberty, and Personal Responsibility, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 1091.

• Individual Liberty: The bill enhances Individual Liberty by promoting transparency and fairness in the electoral process. By requiring all mail-in ballots to be received by the time the polls close on election day, it reduces ambiguity around ballot validity, which in turn protects voters’ confidence that their votes will be accurately counted. Additionally, by ensuring more timely reporting of results, the bill upholds the public’s right to know election outcomes without unnecessary delays, fostering trust in the electoral system.
• Personal Responsibility: HB 1091 places a greater emphasis on Personal Responsibility by clearly defining the deadline for submitting mail-in ballots. Voters must take proactive steps to ensure their ballots are mailed early enough to arrive before the polls close. This shift eliminates the leniency previously afforded to ballots postmarked on election day but received the next day. In doing so, the bill underscores the importance of individual diligence in adhering to voting timelines.
• Free Enterprise: While the bill does not directly address economic or business concerns, it indirectly supports Free Enterprise by reducing potential administrative burdens on election officials. By creating a standardized and predictable process for handling early voting and mail-in ballots, it minimizes operational uncertainties. This consistency can help streamline election procedures, allowing counties of various sizes to manage the process efficiently without incurring additional costs or procedural confusion.
• Private Property Rights: The bill does not explicitly affect Private Property Rights. However, it indirectly supports citizens' rights to participate in the democratic process by clarifying the procedures and deadlines for voting. In this way, it protects the broader civic right to have one’s vote accurately counted and reported in a timely manner.
• Limited Government: HB 1091 aligns with the principle of Limited Government by setting clear, consistent guidelines that reduce the scope for administrative interpretation or error. By eliminating previous provisions that allowed ballots to be counted after election day if postmarked correctly, the bill decreases the potential for disputes and the need for prolonged government intervention in the vote-counting process. Moreover, granting rulemaking authority to the Secretary of State for implementing these changes ensures that adjustments are made within a structured framework, preventing arbitrary rule-making at the local level.