Honorable Kevin Eltife, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1245 by Burton (Relating to the use of certain coins and bullion as legal tender.), As Introduced
Depending upon the volume of gold or silver coin and bullion that is used as legal tender, there could be an indeterminate cost to the Comptroller of Public Accounts to process this new form of payment.
The bill would amend the Business & Commerce Code to add new Chapter 662 to Subtitle A, Title 15, to provide that gold and silver coin and bullion are legal tender in the state, to the extent allowable under the U.S. Constitution.
Gold or silver coin or bullion could be used in the state for the payment of any private or public debt, but no one could be compelled to accept or tender such means of payment.
The CPA assumes there could be a cost to the agency if this bill passes, but it cannot be determined at this time. The CPA would need to develop a process to assay, price, securely transport, and store the gold and silver coins and bullion that would be received for payment to the CPA and other agencies. The agency would also have to know each agency's plan for acceptance and the volume of gold to be expected as this will impact the cost to the agency.
The bill would have immediate effect if it receives a vote of two-thirds of the membership of each house of the Legislature, otherwise it would take effect September 1, 2015.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.