Rep. Cecil Bill, R-Magnolia.
As the Legislature debates its biennial appropriations bill, choosing what money goes where, the Texas Legislative Board released one fiscal impact analysis that may leave its author and 19 co-authors pulling out their hair.
HB 1745, titled the Preservation of Sovereignty and Marriage Act, by Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, would strip county clerks from issuing marriage licenses and cede control to the Texas Secretary of State office. It also re-asserts the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
According to the memo to State Affairs Chairman Rep. Byron Cook, it also comes with a two-year price tag of $2,456,782. In order to adequately issue marriage licenses, the state would have to add 18 full-time employees and enhance current technology to meet the increased demand. And that $2 million only applies through August 31, 2017.
To maintain these responsibilities the Budget Board estimates it will cost an additional $1,005,863 between 2017–2020. That’s $4,023,452.
Talk about fiscal conservatism.
The bill gets its first hearing today (Wednesday, March 25) before the State Affairs Committee.
