LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 1, 2013

TO:	Honorable Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Chair, House Committee on Urban Affairs
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3221 by Springer (Relating to fire safety inspections.), As Introduced

There would be an indeterminate revenue loss to the General Revenue Fund and to the appropriation authority of the agency to the degree fire departments opt to use safety inspectors certified by entities other than the state as a result of the provisions of the bill.

The bill would amend the Government Code to allow individuals certified by the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas, the National Fire Protection Association, the International Code Council, and any other state agency with authority over fire safety inspections, to conduct required fire safety inspections.

The number of fire departments who would opt to employ individuals certified by entities other than the Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) for required safety inspections is unknown.  Further, since TCFP's fees provide revenues to the General Revenue Fund, there would be an indeterminate revenue loss to the General Revenue Fund to the degree fire departments opt to use non-TCFP safety inspectors for required safety inspections. As this agency's appropriations are limited by revenue collections, a reduction in fee revenue would translate into a reduction in appropriation authority.

The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the votes necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

Local Government Impact

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time.

Source Agencies:

411 Commission on Fire Protection

LBB Staff:

UP, KKR, AI, JAW, RB