LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 24, 2007

TO:	Honorable Leticia Van de Putte, Chair, Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB233 by Ritter (Relating to a waiver or reduction of concealed handgun license fees for certain members and veterans of the military.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code relating to a waiver or reduction of concealed handgun license fees for certain members and veterans of the military.

 

The bill would amend the Government Code, Section 411.1951 by further defining the term "veteran" and would waive any fee required for the issuance of an original, duplicate, modified, or renewed concealed handgun license if the person is: a member of the United States armed forces including the reserves, national guard, or state guard and a veteran who, within 365 days preceding the date of application, was honorably discharged from the branch of service in which the person served. The bill states that the Department of Public Safety shall reduce by 50 percent any fee required for the issuance of an original, duplicate, modified, or renewed concealed handgun license if the applicant is a veteran, who more than 365 days preceding the date of application, was honorably discharged from the branch of service in which the person served. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2007.

 

According to the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the provisions of the bill that relate to how many current members of the armed forces or veterans discharged within the last 365 days currently have, or would apply for, a concealed handgun license is not known; therefore, the potential revenue loss to General Revenue cannot be estimated.

 

DPS determined that there would be cost to the License to Carry database of implementing the provisions of the bill. It is assumed that these costs can be absorbed within the agency’s current appropriations.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety

LBB Staff:

JOB, ES, GG, LG