79(R) HB 1203 Introduced version

TO:	Honorable Ray Allen, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs

FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB1203 by Hegar (Relating to the establishment of a tow truck rotation list in certain counties; providing a penalty.), As Introduced

The bill would authorize the sheriff's office in a county with a population of 300,000 or more to establish a list of towing companies to perform nonconsent tows of motor vehicles initiated by a peace officer investigating a traffic accident or incident. The bill provides the procedures that would be required to follow and would authorize the sheriff's office to assess a towing company an administrative fee. The bill would also establish as a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of between $1 and $200, violations of the required policies related to the towing program. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.

There are 12 counties to which the bill would apply, based on the population criteria: Bexar, Cameron, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Fort Bend, Harris, Hidalgo, Nueces, Tarrant, and Travis.

Harris County (population 3.4 million) indicates there would be costs of $44,000 to $50,000 per year over the next five years to implement the program and an estimated revenue gain of $23,500 in the first year of implementation, reaching $26,449 the fifth year of implementation, for an overall negative fiscal impact. However, Travis County (population 812,280) indicates it would experience no fiscal impact and Fort Bend County (population 354,452) indicates it would realize a savings, although no dollar amounts were determined.

It is assumed a county would implement the provisions of the bill only if the county determines that doing so would be beneficial. Implementation of a fee to be on the towing list and fines for violations are anticipated to offset costs associated with the towing program.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 29, 2005