LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 29, 2009

TO:	Honorable Joe Deshotel, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3254 by Gattis (Relating to property owners' association meetings and records.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Property Code to authorize members of certain property owners' associations if denied access to or copies of association records to file a petition with the justice court of a justice precinct in which all or part of the property that is governed by the association is located. If the justice of the peace finds that the member is entitled to access to or copies of the records, the justice of the peace would be required to order the association to provide access to or copies of the records and to pay the court costs and the member's reasonable attorney's fees.

All other portions of the bill would apply only to property owners' associations, which are not  governmental entities.

Local Government Impact

It is anticipated that any additional cases brought before a justice of the peace under the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, JRO, DB