LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 18, 2013

TO:
Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee On Transportation
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB848 by Lucio III (Relating to the impoundment of a motor vehicle involved in an accident if operated without financial responsibility.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Transportation Code to authorize a peace officer to impound the motor vehicle of a person who is involved in an accident that does not provide proof of liability insurance. The law enforcement agency would be required to send notice of impoundment to the last known registered owner of the vehicle and any lienholder. The law enforcement agency that impounds a motor vehicle could release a motor vehicle to a person that provides proper proof of financial responsibility with payment for the cost of impoundment. If after 60 days, the owner does not claim the vehicle, the lienholder could claim the vehicle provided those conditions are met. If there is no lienholder or the lienholder does not claim the vehicle, the law enforcement agency that impounded the vehicle may auction the vehicle.
 
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported there would be some costs associated with the provisions of the bill. This analysis assumes DPS could implement the provisions of the bill within existing appropriations.

Local Government Impact

There could be costs to a local law enforcement agency to provide notices to the registered vehicle owner and any lienholder, and for storage fees for an impounded motor vehicle. In addition, some of those costs would be offset by reimbursement from an owner or lienholder for payment of storage fees, or from auctioning the vehicle if not claimed after 60 days. The amounts would vary depending on the number of impounded vehicles and the amount of costs recovered. No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety
LBB Staff:
UP, AG, TP, ESi