LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

Revision 2

March 24, 2003

TO:	Honorable Joe Nixon, Chair, House Committee on Civil Practices
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HJR3 by Nixon (Proposing a constitutional amendment concerning civil lawsuits against doctors and health care providers, and other actions, authorizing the legislature to determine limitations on non-economic damages.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated, other than the cost of publication.

The cost to the state for publication of the resolution is $475,584.

The bill would propose a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to determine limits for non-economic damages in medical or health care liability. The proposed constitutional amendment would be held on September 13, 2003.

According to the Secretary of State, presenting one constitutional amendment on a ballot results in higher costs because economies of scales are lost. The estimated cost of $475,584 would include $314,062 for postage, $50,872 for printing, $110,500 for newspaper advertising, and $150 for translation costs. According to the Secretary of State, these costs are similar to those experienced in November 2002 when one constitutional amendment was presented to voters.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:	307 Secretary of State
LBB Staff:	JK, GO, MS