LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 25, 2009

TO:	Honorable Rene Oliveira, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1509 by Bonnen (Relating to motor vehicles used for fire, emergency, or disaster response purposes.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would exempt motor vehicles used or sold by trauma service area regional advisory councils that are used exclusively for emergency services, including disaster response services from motor vehicle taxes imposed by Subchapter E, Chapter 152 of the Tax Code. The bill would also exempt vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers that are owned or leased by a trauma service area regional advisory councils and used exclusively to provide emergency services, including disaster response services, from payment for vehicle registration.

The Texas Department of Transportation indicates any costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the agency's existing resources. Based on information provided by TxDOT, a survey of 22 trauma service area regional advisory councils in Texas yielded only two vehicles that fell within the criteria established by the bill. Therefore, it is assumed the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact to state revenues.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 601 Department of Transportation

LBB Staff:

JOB, MN, MW, TG, ES