Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1630 by Romero, Jr. (Relating to certain limitations on settlement agreements with a governmental unit.), As Passed 2nd House
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to apply certain limitations on settlement agreements with governmental units.
The bill would prohibit a governmental unit from requiring a religious leader to testify in any proceeding about a sermon he or she delivered. The bill also would prohibit a governmental unit from requiring that a religious leader provide a written copy or audio or video recording of a sermon.
The Office of the Attorney General estimates there would be a cost associated with implementing the bill provisions. It is assumed these costs could be absorbed within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time because this office cannot forecast the number of claims or account for the increased cost of litigation on claims greater than or equal to $30,000.