LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 19, 2013 TO: Honorable Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB28 by Zaffirini (Relating to the creation of an offense for use of a handheld wireless communication device for text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. This bill would amend Section 545.425 of the Transportation Code to prohibit using a handheld wireless communication device to read, write, or send a text-based communication while operating a moving vehicle that is not stopped. The bill sets forth certain exceptions and defenses to prosecution for this offense. The Office of Court Administration (OCA) reports the offense would be a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200. OCA anticipates any additional work resulting from the passage of the bill could be reasonably absorbed within current resources. The Department of Public Safety estimates there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of the bill. It is anticipated additional cases could result in more court fines and costs being collected, but the number of convinctions 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, 405 Department of Public Safety, 601 Department of Transportation LBB Staff: UP, TP, AG, JI, MMe
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 19, 2013
TO: Honorable Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB28 by Zaffirini (Relating to the creation of an offense for use of a handheld wireless communication device for text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB28 by Zaffirini (Relating to the creation of an offense for use of a handheld wireless communication device for text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle.), As Introduced
Honorable Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation
Honorable Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
SB28 by Zaffirini (Relating to the creation of an offense for use of a handheld wireless communication device for text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle.), As Introduced
SB28 by Zaffirini (Relating to the creation of an offense for use of a handheld wireless communication device for text-based communication 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.
This bill would amend Section 545.425 of the Transportation Code to prohibit using a handheld wireless communication device to read, write, or send a text-based communication while operating a moving vehicle that is not stopped. The bill sets forth certain exceptions and defenses to prosecution for this offense. The Office of Court Administration (OCA) reports the offense would be a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200. OCA anticipates any additional work resulting from the passage of the bill could be reasonably absorbed within current resources. The Department of Public Safety estimates there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of the bill. It is anticipated additional cases could result in more court fines and costs being collected, but the number of convinctions and state revenue generated are not expected to be significant.
This bill would amend Section 545.425 of the Transportation Code to prohibit using a handheld wireless communication device to read, write, or send a text-based communication while operating a moving vehicle that is not stopped. The bill sets forth certain exceptions and defenses to prosecution for this offense.
The Office of Court Administration (OCA) reports the offense would be a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200. OCA anticipates any additional work resulting from the passage of the bill could be reasonably absorbed within current resources. The Department of Public Safety estimates there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of the bill. It is anticipated additional cases could result in more court fines and costs being collected, but the number of convinctions 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, 405 Department of Public Safety, 601 Department of Transportation
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 405 Department of Public Safety, 601 Department of Transportation
LBB Staff: UP, TP, AG, JI, MMe
UP, TP, AG, JI, MMe