LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 25, 2011

TO:	Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB243 by Craddick (Relating to the creation of an offense for certain uses of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Section 545.425 of the Transportation Code to create an offense for using text-based communications while operating a vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped. The bill would add the definition of “text-based communications” as a text message, an instant message, and an e-mail.

The Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Transportation do not anticipate a significant fiscal impact as a result of the bill.

Local Government Impact

Costs associated with enforcement and revenue received from offenses would vary depending on the number of offenses committed. No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

405 Department of Public Safety, 601 Department of Transportation

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, JI, ESi, MM, TP