FISCAL NOTE

Senate Bill 6 as passed the Senate provides for: (1) the elimination of the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote and updates criteria for restoration of voting rights; (2) the prioritization of payments by circuit clerks to fines, court costs, fees, and restitution; and (3) the Board of Pardons and Paroles to provide the Secretary of State with information regarding voting rights restoration of an individual and posting of such restoration notice on the Board’s website for certain individuals.

This bill could increase the administrative obligations of both the Board and the Secretary of State by an undetermined amount by requiring the development and publication of instructions on their respective websites regarding the submission of review for restoration of voting rights.

Further, this bill could increase the obligations of the Board by an undetermined amount to: (1) establish a community service program, by December 31, 2022, for indigent individuals to offset the payment of court costs, and fees; and (2) submit an annual report to the Legislative Council on the non-profit programs offered, the use of resources, and the effectiveness of the program.

This bill could decrease revenues to the State General Fund, county general funds and other funds that court costs and fees are deposited into by an undetermined amount dependent upon the number of indigent individuals who participate in a community service program and receive an hourly credit, based on the federal minimum wage, to be applied against outstanding court costs and fees to become eligible for restoration of voting rights.