LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION February 25, 2013 TO: Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee On Transportation FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB27 by Martinez Fischer (Relating to the creation of an offense for certain prohibited uses of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend Section 545.425 of the Transportation Code to prohibit a motor vehicle operator from using a wireless communication device to read, write, or send a text message unless the vehicle is stopped, and creates certain exceptions to this offense. The bill establishes that a violation would be punishable by a fine of not less than $2 or more than $400 if the offense is commited while operating a motor vehicle in a school crossing zone. The Department of Public Safety estimates there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of the bill. The Office of Court Administration indicates it could absorb the costs associated with the bill within its current resources. It is anticipated additional cases could result in more court fines and costs being collected, but the number of convictions and state revenue generated are not expected to be significant. Local Government Impact Costs associated with enforcement and prosecution, and revenue gain from fines imposed and collected would vary depending on the number of offenses committed; however, the amounts are not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact. Source Agencies:212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety, 601 Department of Transportation LBB Staff: UP, AG, JI, MMe, TP
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
February 25, 2013
TO: Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee On Transportation FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB27 by Martinez Fischer (Relating to the creation of an offense for certain prohibited uses of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee On Transportation
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB27 by Martinez Fischer (Relating to the creation of an offense for certain prohibited uses of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.), As Introduced
Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee On Transportation
Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee On Transportation
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB27 by Martinez Fischer (Relating to the creation of an offense for certain prohibited uses of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.), As Introduced
HB27 by Martinez Fischer (Relating to the creation of an offense for certain prohibited uses of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Section 545.425 of the Transportation Code to prohibit a motor vehicle operator from using a wireless communication device to read, write, or send a text message unless the vehicle is stopped, and creates certain exceptions to this offense. The bill establishes that a violation would be punishable by a fine of not less than $2 or more than $400 if the offense is commited while operating a motor vehicle in a school crossing zone. The Department of Public Safety estimates there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of the bill. The Office of Court Administration indicates it could absorb the costs associated with the bill within its current resources. It is anticipated additional cases could result in more court fines and costs being collected, but the number of convictions and state revenue generated are not expected to be significant.
The bill would amend Section 545.425 of the Transportation Code to prohibit a motor vehicle operator from using a wireless communication device to read, write, or send a text message unless the vehicle is stopped, and creates certain exceptions to this offense. The bill establishes that a violation would be punishable by a fine of not less than $2 or more than $400 if the offense is commited while operating a motor vehicle in a school crossing zone.
The Department of Public Safety estimates there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of the bill. The Office of Court Administration indicates it could absorb the costs associated with the bill within its current resources. It is anticipated additional cases could result in more court fines and costs being collected, but the number of convictions and state revenue generated are not expected to be significant.
Local Government Impact
Costs associated with enforcement and prosecution, and revenue gain from fines imposed and collected would vary depending on the number of offenses committed; however, the amounts are not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.
Source Agencies: 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety, 601 Department of Transportation
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety, 601 Department of Transportation
LBB Staff: UP, AG, JI, MMe, TP
UP, AG, JI, MMe, TP