LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 9, 2003

TO:
Honorable Joe Nixon, Chair, House Committee on Civil Practices
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1741 by Hartnett (Relating to the regulation of private process servers; providing penalties.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1741, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.

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 Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004 $0
2005 $0
2006 $0
2007 $0
2008 $0




Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Probable Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2003
2004 $119,497 ($119,497) 1.5
2005 $110,647 ($110,647) 1.5
2006 $59,557 ($59,557) 1.5
2007 $59,557 ($59,557) 1.5
2008 $59,557 ($59,557) 1.5

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Department of Licensing and Regulation to regulate civil process servers. New applicants would be required to submit to background checks.

Methodology

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) estimates a population of approximately 900 process server licensees and 2,500 registered agents. The agency would require $16,633 and 0.5 Administrative Technician III FTE each year to license and register this additional population. The agency would need $66,300 in fiscal years 2004-05, and $15,210 each year thereafter for background checks by the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For resolution of an anticipated 70 complaints each year, the agency would require $25,464, along with 0.25 Legal Assistant II FTE and 0.5 Accountant II FTE. The agency would require $11,100 in fiscal year 2004 and $2,250 each year thereafter for equipment and other operating expenses.
It is assumed the agency would adjust fees to offset any costs associated with the implementation of the bill.

Technology

The agency would require $3,450 in fiscal year 2004 for computers and related equipment for the new FTEs.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 452 Department of Licensing and Regulation
LBB Staff:
JK, GO, RT, DLBa, RB