LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 6, 2009

TO:	Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1179 by Chavez (Relating to a prohibition on certain uses of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would prohibit the use of a wireless communication device to read, write, or send a text message while operating a motor vehicle unless it is stopped.

The Department of Public Safety reports that the agency would have to make some programming changes in its driver license system. Based on an analysis provided by the agency, it is assumed that associated costs could be absorbed within existing resources.

It is anticipated that costs associated with enforcement could be absorbed within existing resources. The amount of revenue gain from fines or court costs collected would depend on the number of offenses committed and number of convictions.

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, JB, DB, HC