LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 7, 2009 TO: Honorable Vicki Truitt, Chair, House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB3621 by Solomons (Relating to certain charges included in a motor vehicle installment agreement.), As Introduced Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3621, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2011. LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 7, 2009 TO: Honorable Vicki Truitt, Chair, House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB3621 by Solomons (Relating to certain charges included in a motor vehicle installment agreement.), As Introduced TO: Honorable Vicki Truitt, Chair, House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB3621 by Solomons (Relating to certain charges included in a motor vehicle installment agreement.), As Introduced Honorable Vicki Truitt, Chair, House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Honorable Vicki Truitt, Chair, House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board HB3621 by Solomons (Relating to certain charges included in a motor vehicle installment agreement.), As Introduced HB3621 by Solomons (Relating to certain charges included in a motor vehicle installment agreement.), As Introduced Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3621, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2011. Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3621, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2011. General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds 2010 $0 2011 $0 2012 $0 2013 $0 2014 $0 2010 $0 2011 $0 2012 $0 2013 $0 2014 $0 All Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 Probable Revenue Gain fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2009 2010 ($168,570) $168,570 2.0 2011 ($166,070) $166,070 2.0 2012 ($166,070) $166,070 2.0 2013 ($166,070) $166,070 2.0 2014 ($168,570) $168,570 2.0 Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 Probable Revenue Gain fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2009 2010 ($168,570) $168,570 2.0 2011 ($166,070) $166,070 2.0 2012 ($166,070) $166,070 2.0 2013 ($166,070) $166,070 2.0 2014 ($168,570) $168,570 2.0 2010 ($168,570) $168,570 2.0 2011 ($166,070) $166,070 2.0 2012 ($166,070) $166,070 2.0 2013 ($166,070) $166,070 2.0 2014 ($168,570) $168,570 2.0 Fiscal Analysis The bill would amend Chapter 348 of the Finance Code relating to documentary fees charged for handling documents associated with a retail installment contract. The $50 documentary fee cap on motor vehicle retail installment contracts would be removed, and retailers would instead be able to charge a reasonable fee. The commissioner would be able to review the reasonableness of the fee. The Finance Commission would adopt and enforce rules related to determining standards of reasonableness. The bill would take effect September 1, 2009. The bill would amend Chapter 348 of the Finance Code relating to documentary fees charged for handling documents associated with a retail installment contract. The $50 documentary fee cap on motor vehicle retail installment contracts would be removed, and retailers would instead be able to charge a reasonable fee. The commissioner would be able to review the reasonableness of the fee. The Finance Commission would adopt and enforce rules related to determining standards of reasonableness. The bill would take effect September 1, 2009. Methodology Based on information provided by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, it is assumed that two additional positions would be needed to implement the provisions of the bill. These would include one Financial Examiner I at a salary and benefits cost of $59,785 each year and one Attorney II at a salary and benefits cost of $73,285 each year to determine what is reasonable, to enforce the rules that would be established, and to respond to consumer complaints. Other costs associated with the new FTEs including travel, operating expenses, and consumables would total $33,000 each year. It is assumed that additional technology costs of $2,500 in fiscal year 2010 and $2,500 in fiscal year 2014 for computers and software for new positions would be realized as well. Duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill for the Department of Banking and the Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources. The Department of Banking, the Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, and the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner are self-leveling agencies and are statutorily required to generate revenues sufficient to cover all of the agency's direct and indirect costs. Technology Technology costs for the new FTEs include $2,500 in fiscal year 2010 and $2,500 in fiscal year 2014 for computers and software. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 450 Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, 451 Department of Banking, 466 Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, 469 Credit Union Department 450 Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, 451 Department of Banking, 466 Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, 469 Credit Union Department LBB Staff: JOB, JRO, MW, ACa JOB, JRO, MW, ACa