Texas Senate Bill SB702

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 2/15/11
• Refer: 2/23/11

Caption

Relating to the preparation of economic impact statements for legislative measures.

Impact

The bill modifies sections of the Government Code to stipulate what the economic impact statements must contain. Among other things, the statements should address how proposed legislation could affect employment levels, construction activities, service costs, and the revenue/expenditure dynamics of state and local governments. The intent is to ensure that economic consequences are adequately considered before a bill is passed, thus potentially altering how fiscal responsibility is approached in the legislature.

Summary

Senate Bill 702 aims to enhance the process of evaluating the economic implications of legislative measures in Texas. Specifically, it mandates that state agencies prepare comprehensive economic impact statements for any pending bill or joint resolution that directly affects their respective agency. This requirement seeks to provide legislators with crucial information regarding the potential economic outcomes of proposed legislation, ultimately assisting in more informed decision-making.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SB702 appears to be generally positive among those advocating for greater accountability and transparency in legislative processes. Supporters argue that the bill represents a significant step toward understanding the broader economic consequences of legislation. However, there may be some concerns regarding the additional administrative burden on state agencies tasked with compiling these statements.

Contention

Despite the overall support, there could be points of contention regarding how detailed the economic impact statements need to be and the potential delays these analyses might introduce into the legislative process. For instance, critics may argue that the requirement for lengthy assessments could hinder the swift passage of some bills that are deemed urgent or necessary. The balance between thorough evaluation and legislative efficiency is likely to be a topic of discussion among lawmakers.