LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 5, 2001 TO: Honorable Tom Ramsay, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB1322 by Brimer (Relating to the regulation of signs and billboards located in residential areas, creating a penalty.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** Local Government Impact The provisions of the bill would authorize a municipality to regulate the size of a sign or billboard located in a residential area by charter or ordinance and sets the maximum size allowable. Provisions of the bill would also authorize a commissioners court to regulate the size of signs and billboards located in a residential area by order and sets the maximum size allowable. The fine for a violation could not exceed $1,000. The Texas Association of Counties indicated that there would be no significant fiscal impact to the counties. The Texas Municipal League (TML) indicated that there would be no significant fiscal impact to large and medium size cities; however, TML stated that small cities, with limited police and court staff, could experience a significant negative fiscal impact, despite the $1,000 fine potential, particularly if a judge were not to impose a high fine or were to dismiss the charges. The city would have already incurred the costs of enforcement and processing through the judicial system, regardless of the judge's decision. Source Agencies: 302 Office of the Attorney General LBB Staff: JK, DB