LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 4, 2005

TO:	Honorable Mike Krusee, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2136 by Phillips (Relating to certain penalties and fees imposed for operating a motor vehicle or vessel in violation of law.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Transportation Code to authorize courts to assess an administrative fee not to exceed $25 (currently, it is $10) when certain vehicle and watercraft violations are dismissed because of allowable defenses. The bill would also classify "rules of the road" offenses as a Class C misdemeanor unless otherwise noted, and where noted, the maximum fine for an unclassified misdemeanor would be increased to $500. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005 and would apply only to an offense committed on or after that date.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JOB, SR, DLBa