Texas House Bill HB3684

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/27/11
• Introduced: 3/11/11
• Refer: 3/23/11
• Report Pass: 4/21/11

Caption

Relating to evaluating governmental financial matters.

Impact

The bill amends several sections of the Government Code related to the preparation and review of fiscal notes. By establishing a system for fiscal notes that identifies the probable costs associated with each bill that could lead to the expenditure or diversion of state funds, HB3684 aims to foster a more responsible approach to government spending and accountability in legislative decisions. This could lead to a more systematic evaluation of financial implications before passing bills that require state funding.

Summary

House Bill 3684 focuses on evaluating governmental financial matters through improved transparency and accountability in the legislative process. A significant amendment introduced by this bill mandates that any resolution seeking to authorize legal action must include a fiscal note prepared by the Legislative Budget Board. This measure is intended to ensure that financial implications are considered before any legislative committee hearings, potentially curbing unjustified government expenditures tied to legal proceedings.

Contention

Despite the bill's intentions, there may be some points of contention regarding its application and scope. Critics may argue that imposing additional requirements on resolutions could slow down the legislative process and hinder timely decision-making. Additionally, there is concern among some legislators about the potential administrative burden on state agencies tasked with preparing economic impact statements for every bill that affects them, which could divert resources away from other critical functions.