LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session April 9, 1995 TO: Honorable Don Henderson, Chair IN RE: Committee Substitute Committee on Jurisprudence for Senate Senate Bill Austin, Texas No. 115 FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on Senate Bill No. 115 (relating to the suspension of certain licenses for failure to pay child support) this office has determined the following: The bill would allow revocation of driver's licenses for failure to pay child support. Title IV-D cases would be referred to a hearings process at the Office of the Attorney General. Other cases would require use of the courts. Suspensions would be provided for in cases where an individual is ninety days or more late on payments. The bill would affect only driver's licenses and other certificates, registration, permits or authorization issued by the Department of Public Safety to operate a motor vehicle. The bill would allow a licensing agency to charge a fee to recover administrative costs. The bill also would give the Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission rulemaking authority for suspension of state licenses relating to certain state taxes. The bill would implement the recommendation to revoke driver's licenses for failure to pay child support, which was included in the Comptroller's welfare reform report, A Partnership for Independence. A significant increase in collections for AFDC child support cases should occur due to payment of obligations in arrears during the first three years of operations. Ongoing savings would accrue from the collection of current child support starting in the third year. It is assumed that the Office of the Attorney General currently has adequate resources to implement the provisions of 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 Year Gain to Child Support Retained Collections Account 1996 $6,589,000 1997 9,250,000 1998 17,233,000 1999 10,644,000 2000 10,644,000 Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the provisions of the bill are in effect. No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source: Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: JK, JC, RR