LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
February 17, 1997
TO: Honorable Patricia Gray, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 118
Committee on Civil Practices By: Hirschi
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB118 ( Relating
to increased civil penalties for deceptive trade practices against
elderly consumers.) this office has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB118-As Introduced
Implementation of the provisions of the bill could result in
increased revenue from penalties to the state. This amount
would depend on the number of determinations by the Attorney
General's Office that fraud or deception that was designed to
acquire or deprive money or other property from a consumer of
60 years or older took place.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The bill would amend section 17.47(c) of
the Business and Commerce Code to allow the Consumer Protection
Division of the Attorney General's Office to request a civil
penalty for deceptive trade practices perpetrated against elderly
consumers. The civil penalty would be paid to the state and
could not exceed $10,000 per violation, or $100,000 total, upon
determination by the Attorney General's Office that fraud or
deception was designed to acquire or deprive money or other
property from a consumer of 60 years or older.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government
is anticipated.
Source: Agencies: 302 Office of the Attorney General
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff: PE ,JK