LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
April 7, 1997
TO: Honorable Bill Ratliff, Chair IN RE: Senate Bill No. 1681
Committee on Finance By: Ratliff
Senate
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on SB1681 ( Relating
to authorizing certain state agencies to set and charge a fee
for the use of a credit card to pay certain fees.) this office
has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by SB1681-As Introduced
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net
impact of $0 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 require the Comptroller to authorize the Texas
Real Estate Commission (TREC) and the Department of Public Safety
(DPS) to set and charge a fee for using a credit card to pay
fees assessed by the particular agency. The fee must be in
an amount reasonable and necessary to reimburse the agency for
the costs involved in the use of the credit card. The bill
would take effect immediately.
Methodolgy
It is assumed that fees will be authorized to cover all costs
associated with establishing a credit card payment system, to
include start-up costs. The agencies would set a fee for its
licensees who would use credit cards in paying driver's license,
motor vehicle inspection, renewal or other fees to the agencies.
The credit card fee would be based on the amount charged to
the agencies by a credit card issuer.
The bill does not specify
where the fees are to be deposited, therefore it is assumed
they would be deposited to General Revenue.
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 General General Revenue Employees from
Revenue Fund Fund FY 1997
0001 0001
1998 ($4,613,420) $4,613,420 76.0
1998 (2,978,999) 2,978,999 76.0
2000 (2,992,522) 2,992,522 76.0
2001 (2,992,522) 2,992,522 76.0
2002 (3,001,012) 3,001,012 76.0
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 $0
1999 0
2000 0
2001 0
2002 0
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: Agencies: 329 Real Estate Commission
405 Department of Public Safety
LBB Staff: JK ,RR ,RS