LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 29, 2015

TO:	Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1214 by Taylor, Van (Relating to the use of human remains for forensic science education, including the training of search and rescue animals.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Health and Safety Code relating to the use of human remains in forensic
science education, including the training of search and rescue animals. It is assumed the provisions of the bill could be implemented within existing resources.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.

Local Government Impact

The fiscal impact to an applicable local governments or an institution that chose to accept
anatomical specimens for the use of training search and rescue animals or forensic science education would vary depending on the number of instances a specimen was received and the transportation costs incurred.

There may be costs to local governments for retaining the unclaimed body of a traveler for six months. The Webb County Medical Examiner would require an additional staff member and a portable morgue to implement the provisions of the bill. The department reported that there would be a total cost of $191,600, which would have a significant fiscal impact on the department.

Source Agencies:

405 Department of Public Safety, 458 Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 758 Texas State University System, 768 Texas Tech University System Administration, 769 University of North Texas System Administration, 783 University of Houston System Administration, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department

LBB Staff:

UP, NB, DEH, EH, JN, KVe