| TO: | Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives |
| FROM: | John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB3487 by Taylor, Van (Relating to regulations concerning certain service animals; providing a criminal penalty. ), As Passed 2nd House |
The bill would amend the Business and Commerce Code and prohibits a commercial lodging establishment or restaurant from charging a fee or security deposit for a service canine who accompanies certain specified canine handlers to the establishment or restaurant under two conditions. The conditions which must be present are: a disaster declaration has been issued or the dogs are present due to a mutual aid request or training exercise. It is anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources.
The bill also provides that a commercial lodging establishment or restaurant that violates provisions of the bill is liable to the state for a civil penalty of not more than $200 for each violation. The number of potential violations and the amount of penalties levied are unknown. Therefore, there could be an indeterminate revenue increase to the state.
| Source Agencies: | 302 Office of the Attorney General, 405 Department of Public Safety
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, AG, JM
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