LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 12, 2013

TO:	Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1200 by Taylor, Van (Relating to access to certain facilities by search and rescue dogs and their handlers; providing a criminal penalty. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend add Chapter 785 to the Health and Safety Code to provide definitions and requirements for search and rescue dogs and their handlers; and would create a misdemeanor offense for a violation. The owner, manager, operator, or an employee of a public facility or a common carrier or other public conveyance or mode of transportation may not refuse admittance of a search and rescue dog or the dog's handler, and may not charge an additional fare. A person commits a misdemeanor offense for a violation of the provisions punishable by a fine of not less than $300 or more than $1,000.

Local Government Impact

Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.

Source Agencies:

407 Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education

LBB Staff:

UP, ESi, TP