80(R) HB 1778 - Introduced version

TO:	Honorable Warren Chisum, Chair, House Committee on Appropriations

FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB1778 by Giddings (Relating to a grant program to promote good citizenship.), As Introduced

The number of convictions for Class C misdemeanor assault meeting the criteria of the bill and the fine revenue derived from those convictions cannot be determined. Fine revenue, other than the State Traffic Fine, is assessed and retained by local government entities. Although the revenue cannot be quantified, there would be a loss of revenue to units of local government and a corresponding gain to the state. This revenue, if appropriated, would be paid to school districts as grants to promote good citizenship.

The bill would direct the Commissioner of Education to make grants to school districts on a competitive basis to promote good citizenship. The bill stipulates that the grants are funded from the newly created Good Citizenship Account in the state treasury. Under the provisions of the bill, the Good Citizenship Account would be funded with revenue from fines imposed for Class C misdemeanor offenses that involve open-handed physical conduct between two students not involving harassment, violence, sexual conduct, or bodily injury in which the offender is aged 11 or younger.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) estimates that the grant program created under the provisions of the bill could be administered with existing agency resources.

School districts would apply for an receive grant funding for good citizenship programs under the provisions of the bill.

Entities of local government that assess fines for Class C misdemeanors that meet the criteria of the bill would be required to deposit associated revenue to the Good Citizenship Account created by the bill, which would result in a loss of local revenue.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 13, 2007