LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 8, 2015 TO: Honorable John Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB3945 by Geren (Relating to restrictions on introducing, sponsoring, or voting on measures or bills in which a member of the legislature has certain interests; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend Government Code to expand restrictions on introducing, sponsoring, or voting on a bill if a business entity related to a member of the legislature or their spouse would benefit from the bill. The bill would also create a Class A misdemeanor offense for legislators that violate these restrictions. Any costs associated with implementing the bill could be absorbed within existing resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2015. Local Government Impact A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could likely be absorbed with existing resources. Revenue from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact. Source Agencies:356 Texas Ethics Commission LBB Staff: UP, FR, EP, EMo, KVe
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 8, 2015
TO: Honorable John Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB3945 by Geren (Relating to restrictions on introducing, sponsoring, or voting on measures or bills in which a member of the legislature has certain interests; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable John Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB3945 by Geren (Relating to restrictions on introducing, sponsoring, or voting on measures or bills in which a member of the legislature has certain interests; creating a criminal offense.), 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
HB3945 by Geren (Relating to restrictions on introducing, sponsoring, or voting on measures or bills in which a member of the legislature has certain interests; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
HB3945 by Geren (Relating to restrictions on introducing, sponsoring, or voting on measures or bills in which a member of the legislature has certain interests; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Government Code to expand restrictions on introducing, sponsoring, or voting on a bill if a business entity related to a member of the legislature or their spouse would benefit from the bill. The bill would also create a Class A misdemeanor offense for legislators that violate these restrictions. Any costs associated with implementing the bill could be absorbed within existing resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Local Government Impact
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could likely be absorbed with existing resources. Revenue from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.
Source Agencies: 356 Texas Ethics Commission
356 Texas Ethics Commission
LBB Staff: UP, FR, EP, EMo, KVe
UP, FR, EP, EMo, KVe