LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 8, 2013

TO:	Honorable René Oliveira, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1887 by Farias (Relating to consumer protection for and remedies available to a veteran who buys a home that does not comply with certain warranties; providing an administrative penalty.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Property Code relating to consumer protection for and remedies available to a veteran who buys a home that does not comply with certain warranties.

Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.

According to information provided by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), there could be an increased need for administrative law judges and funding as a result of new hearings related to complaints filed by homebuyers with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).  However, costs for cases at SOAH would be billed to TREC through an Interagency Contract and therefore are not reflected in this analysis.

The fiscal impact that may be generated in association with implementing the provisions of the bill for TREC are not considered in this analysis because any fiscal impact for the agency would be realized outside the Treasury due to the agency being Self-Directed and Semi-Independent.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 329 Real Estate Commission, 360 State Office of Administrative Hearings, 403 Veterans Commission

LBB Staff:

UP, RB, MW, NV