LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 14, 2015

TO:
Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB1853 by Lucio (Relating to authorizing the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas to establish a statewide program for the prevention and detection of certain criminal offenses.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code to authorize the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to establish a program throughout this state for preventing and detecting the unlawful possession or movement of certain firearms, controlled substances, currency, or smuggling or trafficking of persons. The bill would stipulate the program must be executed in a manner that minimizes the impact to economic activities and the intrusiveness of police officer encounters.

DPS under current law already possesses the authority to conduct law enforcement operations relating to the criminal enterprise activities noted in the bill; as it is therefore unclear what, if any, additional actions the bill would require of the agency, costs are estimated not to be significant.

The bill would take effect immediately upon a two-thirds vote of all members of both chambers.  Otherwise, 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
LBB Staff:
UP, KJo, AI, JAW