LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
74th Regular Session
May 4, 1995
TO: Honorable Don Henderson, Chair IN RE: Committee Substitute
Committee on Jurisprudence for
Senate Senate Bill
Austin, Texas No. 7
By: Harris
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on Senate Bill No.
7 (relating to the family, including the marriage relationship,
the parent-child relationship, suits affecting the parent-child
relationship, and the protection of children) this office has
determined the following:
The bill would set up an administrative procedure for suspension
of drivers license and professional and occupational licenses for
failure to make child support payments. It is anticipated that
there will be an increase in collections for AFDC Child Support
cases due to payment of child support obligations that are in
arrears during the first three years of operation. After the
first three years, increased child support collections are
expected to be realized as a result of this provision, although
the amount will decrease as the arrearages are paid. The
licensing authority is directed to supply to the Title IV-D
agency identifying information for each individual who holds,
applies for, or renews a license issued by the authority.
The amount of gain or cost to the various licensing authorities
cannot be determined. It is anticipated that the Office of the
Attorney General has adequate resources to implement the
provisions of the bill. The revenue gain to the state resulting
from increased child support collections from the provisions
which provide for license suspension are reflected in the table
below.
The bill would also provide for involuntary termination of the
parent/child relationship where the child has been constructively
abandoned in the permanent or temporary managing conservatorship
of the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. This
provision is expected to expedite the adoption process for
children who have been constructively abandoned in the custody of
the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. By
establishing a new condition under which a negligent parent might
surrender parental rights involuntarily through court
proceedings, the State could reduce costs for children who are
currently under foster care with no hope of reuniting with their
parents. The table reflects the estimated savings to the General
Revenue Fund based on historical costs for the Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services for children in foster care
who meet the conditions set forth in the bill.
The probable fiscal implication of implementing the provisions of
the bill during each of the first five years following passage
is estimated as follows:
Fiscal Probable Revenue Probable Savings
Year Gain to Child to General
Support Retained Revenue Fund 001
Collections
1996 $6,589,000 $541,000
1997 9,250,000 541,000
1998 17,233,000 541,000
1999 10,644,000 541,000
2000 10,644,000 541,000
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
Source: Comptroller of Public Accounts, Office of the Attorney
General,
Department of Human Services,
Department of Protective
and Regulatory Services
LBB Staff: JK, DC, RR