LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 23, 2005

TO:	Honorable Helen Giddings, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB327 by Zaffirini (Relating to the installation, copying, or use of computer software for unauthorized purposes; providing a penalty.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Title 4, Business & Commerce Code by adding Chapter 48, which would require that consent or notice be given authorizing the installation, copy, or download of spyware prior to installation and to provide options to cancel and quickly and easily disable and remove the spyware from the computer. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.

The proposed legislation may result in new complaints to and investigations or cases by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection & Public Health Division. However, it is projected that this increase can be absorbed by current resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

302 Office of the Attorney General

LBB Staff:

JOB, JRO, MS, KJG, WP