LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

February 28, 2007

TO:	Honorable Mike Krusee, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB423 by Corte, Frank (Relating to requiring that medical examiners and justices of the peace report certain deaths that result from a motor vehicle accident to the Texas Department of Public Safety.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Transportation Code by modifying the procedures for a coroner, medical examiner, or justice of the peace to report to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) certain deaths that resulted from a motor vehicle accident. DPS would be required to prepare and supply forms to be used for reporting the required information.

The Code of Criminal Procedure would be amended to require a justice of the peace (JP) to order a blood specimen to be taken from the body of a person who died as the result of a motor vehicle accident. Under current statute, the JP is given discretion in ordering a specimen to be taken.

DPS reports that any costs involved in implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed using existing resources. It is anticipated that procedural changes implemented by a coroner, medical examiner, or JP could also be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

405 Department of Public Safety

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, DB