Honorable Helen Giddings, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2392 by Kolkhorst (Relating to actions brought under the Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act; providing penalties.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill amends Sections 17.47 and 17.505 of the Business & Commerce Code relating to actions brought under the Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act; providing penalties.The bill increases the civil penalty to be paid to the state (amount not less than $1,000 or more than $20,000 per violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices - Consumer Protection Act).If the act or practice was committed against a consumer who is at least 65 years old at the time of the offense, an additional amount of not more than $100,000 per violation is payable to the state.The bill specifies actions that must be taken by a person filing a class action lawsuit and the attorney general may intervene in a class action lawsuit by filing notice of intervention with the court and serving notice on each party.The Act takes September 1, 2003.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts