LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 24, 2015 TO: Honorable John Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1531 by Geren (Relating to the making and receiving of referrals for legal services by certain legislators and executive officers; providing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Government Code to create a Class B misdemeanor for certain elected officials to make or receive referrals for legal services for compensation or any other benefit. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both. Local Government Impact Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication Source Agencies:356 Texas Ethics Commission LBB Staff: UP, FR, SD, EK LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 24, 2015 TO: Honorable John Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1531 by Geren (Relating to the making and receiving of referrals for legal services by certain legislators and executive officers; providing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced TO: Honorable John Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB1531 by Geren (Relating to the making and receiving of referrals for legal services by certain legislators and executive officers; providing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced Honorable John Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics Honorable John Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board HB1531 by Geren (Relating to the making and receiving of referrals for legal services by certain legislators and executive officers; providing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced HB1531 by Geren (Relating to the making and receiving of referrals for legal services by certain legislators and executive officers; providing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Government Code to create a Class B misdemeanor for certain elected officials to make or receive referrals for legal services for compensation or any other benefit. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both. Local Government Impact Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication Source Agencies: 356 Texas Ethics Commission 356 Texas Ethics Commission LBB Staff: UP, FR, SD, EK UP, FR, SD, EK