Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1287 by Hinojosa (Relating to the licensing and regulation of forensic analysts and the administration of the Texas Forensic Science Commission; authorizing fees; requiring an occupational license.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to replace Sam Houston State University with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) as the administrative agency for the Texas Forensic Science Commission (TFSC). The bill would also require the TFSC to establish an occupational license and regulations for Forensic Analysts; authorize a certain fee; and require the TFSC to establish an advisory committee to make recommendations on matters related to the licensing of forensic analysts. The bill would require the TFSC to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding suggested changes to the licensing of Forensic Analysts by January 1, 2017.
It is assumed implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within current resources. Except as noted above, the bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 758 Texas State University System