LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 27, 2005

TO:	Honorable Helen Giddings, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1854 by Giddings (Relating to requiring debt collectors to provide a copy of a dishonored check to certain consumers; providing a civil penalty.), Committee Report 1st House, As Amended

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require a debt collector who contacts a consumer about a consumers’ alleged issuance of a dishonored check to provide the consumer a photocopy of the check. A debt collector who fails to do so would be liable to the state for a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation.  The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.

The proposed legislation may result in new complaints, investigations or cases by the Office of the Attorney General, however, it is projected that this increase can be absorbed by current resources.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

302 Office of the Attorney General

LBB Staff:

JOB, SD, JRO, MS