LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 14, 2005

TO:
Honorable Joe Driver, Chair, House Committee on Law Enforcement
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1869 by Swinford (Relating to the imposition of additional requirements on certain persons granted an occupational driver's license.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Chaper 521 of the Transportation Code by adding a new section, which applies to an individual whose driver's license has been suspended due to a conviction for an intoxication or alcoholic beverage offense and who has been granted an occupational license. The bill would require such an individual to provide to the court and the state's attorney the vehicle identification number and license plate number of the vehicle to be most regularly driven by the person; and if the individual is the owner of the vehicle, the individual would be required to surrender the regular vehicle plates to the county assessor collector and apply for a set of "DWI" license plates to be displayed on the vehicle. The bill would require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design the "DWI" plates, which must be distinguishable from other plates issued by TxDOT. The bill would require TxDOT to establish a fee for the plates in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of issuance.

The bill would take effect on September 1, 2005.

TxDOT estimates 11,769 of the "DWI" plates would be issued in fiscal year 2006 at a fee of $29.50 each, and the number of plates issued would increase by five percent each year. It is assumed any revenues generated from the new plates would be used to cover the costs of issuance and for other transportation expenditures.


Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. There would be some operational costs to the 254 Texas counties to process the initial issuance of the plates. However, these costs are not expected to be significant, and could be offset by a revenue gain of $5,885 to the counties in fiscal year 2006. This would rise to $7,153 in fiscal year 2010.


Source Agencies:
601 Department of Transportation
LBB Staff:
JOB, MW, TG, KJG