Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Finance
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2222 by Nelson (Relating to requiring rifle resistant windshields for certain Department of Public Safety automobiles.), As Introduced
Depending on the additional resources needed to modify and reconfigure vehicles to accommodate rifle resistant windshields, there would be an indeterminate cost to the state. Therefore, the fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time.
The bill would require that highway patrol vehicles be equipped with rifle resistant windshields. According to the Department of Public Safety, the material and installation cost for a rifle resistant windshield is roughly $25,000 per vehicle, with approximately 2,800 vehicles that would be affected. However, this initial estimate of $70 million does not account for regular replacements, breakage, and staff resources. In addition, there could be significant unknown costs to modify and reconfigure the vehicle frame to maintain its effectiveness while accommodating the windshield weight.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.