FISCAL NOTE

Senate Bill 118 as introduced requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to automatically conduct a review of individuals convicted of certain crimes that have been released from incarceration, pardoned, or have successfully completed probation or parole and released from compliance by the ordering entity to determine eligibility to receive a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote. This will increase the administrative obligations of the Board by an undetermined amount dependent upon the increase in the number of persons the Board will now have to determine eligibility for versus the number of persons that currently apply to have their voting rights restored.

This bill also requires: (1) the Board and the Secretary of State to develop and publish on their respective websites, by September 1, 2021 instructions for individuals that became eligible for a Certificate of Eligibility prior to the effective date of this bill to submit a request for review; (2) the Board of Pardons and Paroles to notify the Secretary of State when an individual has received a Certificate of Eligibility; and (3) the Secretary of State to notify the local board of registrars of the date an individual has received his or her Certificate of Eligibility.

This bill could decrease revenues to the State General Fund, county general funds and other funds that court costs are deposited into by an undetermined amount dependent upon the number of individuals who would no longer be required to pay fines, court costs, and fees to become eligible for a Certificate of Eligibility.