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H 347

APPROPRIATIONS – OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE – Relates to the appropriation to the Office of the Secretary of State for fiscal year 2026.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

House Bill 347 allocates $468,300 to the Secretary of State's office, enhancing operations and efficiency for elections and public services in FY 2026.

Reported Signed by Governor on March 19, 2025 Session Law Chapter 120 Effective: 07/01/2025
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Bill Summary · H 347

Summary of House Bill 347

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: H 347
  • Title: Appropriations – Office of the Secretary of State
  • Status: Reported Signed by Governor on March 19, 2025; Effective Date: July 1, 2025
  • Introduced: February 28, 2025
  • Classification: Bill
  • Subject: Appropriations, Secretary of State

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 347 aims to enhance the budget of the Office of the Secretary of State for fiscal year 2026. The bill appropriates additional funds to support various operational needs and improvements within the office, ensuring that it can effectively fulfill its responsibilities.

Key Provisions

  1. Total Appropriation:

    • The bill appropriates an additional $468,300 from the General Fund for the Office of the Secretary of State.
    • This amount is broken down into:
      • Ongoing Increase: $320,300
      • One-time Increase: $148,000

  2. Specific Allocations:

    • Personnel Costs: $29,000 for a deputy business director.
    • Operating Expenditures:
      • $461,600 for software subscriptions.
      • $36,500 for information technology training.
      • $396,100 for the publication of the Blue Book and Constitution.
      • $6,700 for conference costs.
      • $40,500 for general inflation in postage costs.
      • $6,500 for replacement items.

  3. Reappropriation Authority:

    • The bill grants reappropriation authority for any unexpended and unencumbered balances from the fiscal year 2025 appropriations for election integrity audits and elections system upgrades.

  4. Emergency Clause:

    • An emergency is declared, allowing the bill to take effect immediately on July 1, 2025.

Impact

  • Who is Affected:

    • The Office of the Secretary of State will benefit from enhanced funding, which is expected to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
    • The additional personnel and resources will support various functions, including elections, public information dissemination, and technology upgrades.

  • Budget Context:

    • The total budget for the Office of the Secretary of State for FY 2026 will amount to $5,711,000, reflecting an overall increase of 9.1% from the previous fiscal year.

Procedural Timeline

  • February 28, 2025: Bill introduced and referred for printing.
  • March 3-10, 2025: Bill underwent readings and committee reviews.
  • March 13, 2025: Passed in the House and transmitted to the Senate.
  • March 18, 2025: Delivered to the Governor.
  • March 19, 2025: Signed by the Governor and reported as law.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of House Bill 347, detailing its purpose, key provisions, and the expected impact on the Office of the Secretary of State and its operations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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