LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 27, 2009

TO:	Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor, Senate
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB52 by Zaffirini (Relating to the penalties for the illegal use of a parking space or area designated specifically for persons with disabilities. ), As Passed 2nd House

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill amend Section 681.011 of the Transportation Code to increase the fines and number of community service hours that could be imposed for illegal use of a parking space or area designated specifically for persons with disabilities.

The bill would amend Section 681.012 of the Transportation Code relating to use of a parking space or area designated for persons with disabilities, as well as procedures, enforcement, and punishments associated with related requirements. In certain situations, fines would be increased. The $5 fee that accompanies an application for a disabled parking placard would apply only to an application for a temporary placard rather than to all applications for a placard. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports the agency would incur administrative responsibilities related to implementation. Based on the analysis by TxDOT, it is assumed that associated costs could be absorbed within existing resources.

The bill would amend Sections 504.201 and 681.003 of the Transportation Code to allow licensed chiropractors from this state or from a state adjacent to this state to submit the required written statement accompanying an initial or first application for a disabled parking placard for a person with a mobility problem.

Local Government Impact

Revenue gains would depend on the number of offenses cited and the discretion of the judge in imposing the amount of the fine, but is not anticipated to be significant per local government entity.
 
Any loss in revenue from collecting the $5 application fee on only temporary placards would vary by local government entity depending on how many permanent placards may have been requested but would no longer include a $5 fee; however, the loss is not anticipated to be significant.
 
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated to implement the provisions of the proposed changes to Sections 504.201 and 681.003 of the Transportation Code.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, DB