LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 75th Regular Session February 13, 1997 TO: Honorable Allen Place, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 133 Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence By: Hochberg House Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB133 ( Relating to the standard of alcohol concentration used in defining the offense of driving while intoxicated.) this office has detemined the following: Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB133-As Introduced Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net positive impact of $294,480 to General Revenue Related Funds through the biennium ending August 31, 1999. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. Fiscal Analysis The bill would amend the Penal Code by lowering the current blood-alcohol concentration level used to define "intoxicated." The bill would lower the current blood-alcohol concentration level of .10 to .08. The lower blood-alcohol concentration level is one of five required qualifications for receiving National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant funding of up to $2.8 million each fiscal year for five years. Methodolgy It is estimated that there would be approximately 1,636 additional cases or actions involving Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) convictions and administrative hearings as a result of the bill. The estimate allows for one additional employee to fulfill the administrative work associated with the additional workload, as well as appropriate training and equipment. Based on current data, it is estimated that sixty percent of the license suspension cases will apply for reinstatement of a driver's license after the suspension period is completed. Each reinstatement would result in the collection of $150 in licensing fees. The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions of the bill during each of the first five years following passage is estimated as follows: Five Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Probable Revenue Change in Number Savings/(Cost) Gain/(Loss) from of State from State General Revenue Employees from Highway Fund Fund FY 1997 0006 0001 1998 ($41,663) $147,240 1.0 1998 (24,706) 147,240 1.0 2000 (24,706) 147,240 1.0 2001 (24,706) 147,240 1.0 2002 (24,706) 147,240 1.0 Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds: The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds during each of the first five years is estimated as follows: Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative) General Revenue Related Funds Funds 1998 $147,240 1999 147,240 2000 147,240 2001 147,240 2002 147,240 Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the provisions of the bill are in effect. No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source: Agencies: 405 Department of Public Safety LBB Staff: JK ,CB ,MG ,RS