LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session March 29, 1999 TO: Honorable Bob Turner, Chair, House Committee on Public Safety FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB2257 by Allen (Relating to the issuance by the Texas Department of Public Safety of special permits authorizing concealed handgun license holders and other individuals to carry weapons in certain restricted areas.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for * * HB2257, As Introduced: positive impact of $3,532,406 through the * * biennium ending August 31, 2001. * * * * The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal * * basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of * * the bill. * ************************************************************************** General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Net Impact: **************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) * * Impact to General Revenue Related * * Funds * * 2000 $1,258,050 * * 2001 2,274,356 * * 2002 759,381 * * 2003 656,096 * * 2004 587,496 * **************************************************** All Funds, Five-Year Impact: ************************************************************************** *Fiscal Probable Probable Revenue Change in Number of * * Year Savings/(Cost) from Gain/(Loss) from State Employees from * * General Revenue Fund General Revenue Fund FY 1999 * * 0001 0001 * * 2000 $(643,185) $1,901,235 11.0 * * 2001 (453,754) 2,728,110 11.0 * * 2002 (453,754) 1,213,135 11.0 * * 2003 (453,754) 1,109,850 11.0 * * 2004 (453,754) 1,041,250 11.0 * ************************************************************************** Technology Impact The Technology Impact would be limited to microcomputer hardware and software. Fiscal Analysis The bill would authorize the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to adopt by rule a permit process to allow a concealed handgun holder or other individual to carry a concealed handgun or any other firearm in the same manner as provided to peace officers. The Department would be required to determine the qualifications for each applicant, and the imposition of costs on an applicant for a permit. Methodology The bill would increase the intensity of permit applicant background investigations by uniformed officers and investigators. The Department predicts that people who would apply for the new license would come from the pool of applicants for the concealed handgun license and would include a large percentage of current concealed handgun license holders, who would either immediately apply for the new license or request the new license when they renew. It is estimated that 13,580 individuals would apply for or convert to a special permit the first year the bill was implemented. For FY2001, it is estimated that 19,487 would apply; FY 2002-8,665; FY2003-7,928; FY2004- 7,438. The Department would need 9 additional staff to process, train, and investigate the applicants. The rental of a private firearms range would be necessary for the anticipated training. Two additional attorneys would be needed to handle the additional denials, revocations, suspensions and hearings. The bill would generate revenue based on fees to be determined by the Department. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: LBB Staff: JK, MD