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