LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 6, 2009

TO:	Honorable Tommy Merritt, Chair, House Committee on Public Safety
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB917 by Dutton (Relating to the authority of peace officers to conduct certain searches.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure relating to requirements for conducting a search of a motor vehicle, including obtaining written consent or oral consent from the driver of the vehicle. The director of the Department of Public Safety would be required to establish requirements for the form used to obtain written consent and requirements for an audio and video recording used as evidence of oral consent.

The Department of Public Safety indicates that any associated costs could be absorbed within existing resources. In addition, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education would have to make some changes in its training curricula, but associated costs could be absorbed within existing resources.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

405 Department of Public Safety, 407 Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education

LBB Staff:

JOB, ESi, DB