LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 30, 2003

TO:
Honorable Mike Krusee, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB660 by Ogden (Relating to the penalty for certain speeding offenses.), As Engrossed



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB660, As Engrossed: a positive impact of $132,800 through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004 $66,400
2005 $66,400
2006 $66,400
2007 $66,400
2008 $66,400




Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2004 $66,400
2005 $66,400
2006 $66,400
2007 $66,400
2008 $66,400

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend Section 545.366 of the Transportation Code to establish a minimum fine of $200 and a maximum fine of $500 for the offense of exceeding the speed limit by 25 or more miles per hour.  At the end of each fiscal year, municipalities and counties would be required to remit an amount equal to $200 of each fine collected to the Comptroller's Office for deposit in the State Treasury.  The bill would dedicate this revenue for traffic safety programs.

Methodology

In 2002, 442 tickets were issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety for speeding 25 miles per hour or more above the maximum speed limit.  If fines were collected by municipalities and counties in 75% of these cases, the estimated revenue to the state would equal $66,400 per year.  There is no data available on how many convictions are secured through county or municipal law enforcement agencies for these offenses, but the number may be significant.  These convictions could significantly increase the revenues to the state. 


Local Government Impact

The cost to local government would be less than or equal to the state revenue generated.  The bill would require municipalities and counties to remit an amount equal to $200 of each fine collected to the State Comptroller's Office.  The cost to local government would be compensated to the extent that municipalities and counties increased the fines, to a maximum of $500 per offense.  There is not sufficient data to estimate the exact cost to local government.



Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety, 601 Department of Transportation
LBB Staff:
JK, JO, RR, VDS, KG, AR