LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 30, 2011

TO:
Honorable Sid Miller, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
 
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB615 by Kleinschmidt (Relating to requiring that certain tests required for the issuance of a driver's license or a commercial driver's license be conducted in English.), As Introduced

While the overall fiscal impact to state administrative costs would not be significant, the enactment of the bill could result in a loss of federal highway funds to the state.

The bill would amend the Transportation Code to require the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to conduct certain tests for driver’s licenses and commercial driver’s licenses in English only. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011. DPS indicates the provisions of the bill could place Texas out of compliance with Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations and risk a loss of federal-aid funds. The funds at risk of loss would be REAL ID grants, Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program funds, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration funds. This analysis assumes the potential losses from the federal-aid funds would be 5 percent ($4,620,000) of the applicable funds received in the first year of non-compliance and 10 percent ($9,240,000) in all subsequent years.


Local Government Impact

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


Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety
LBB Staff:
JOB, ESi, GG