LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 20, 2009

TO:	Honorable Yvonne Davis, Chair, House Committee on Urban Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3065 by Bohac (Relating to municipal registration of vacant buildings; providing a penalty.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would add Subchapter H to Chapter 214, Local Government Code, to authorize a municipality to by ordinance require an owner of a vacant building to register the building by filing a completed registration form with a designated municipal official not later than the later of the 30th day after the date the building becomes vacant or the person becomes the owner of the building. The bill establishes the minimum requirements for an ordinance governing registration of a vacant building. If the owner of a vacant building fails to comply with the ordinance, it would be a Class C misdemeanor. Each day of violation would constitute a separate offense. The bill would take effect January 1, 2010.

A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500. Fines and court costs would generate a revenue gain dependant on the number of offenses and the discretion of the judge.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, DB