Honorable Poncho Nevárez, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1208 by Rodriguez (Relating to the storage of firearms surrendered by a person subject to a magistrate's order for emergency protection or protective order as a result of family violence, sexual assault or abuse, stalking, or trafficking of persons.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill amends the Texas Family Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure to require that the commissioners court of each county designate a secure location to store firearms surrendered by persons subject to protective orders. The bill would also establish certain procedures related to these surrendered firearms.
According to the Office of Court Administration (OCA), no significant impact to the state court system is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
According to OCA, there could be a cost to counties to establish a firearm storage facility for this purpose. However, this potential cost would vary from county to county.
According to Taylor County, the fiscal impact to the county would be over $5,000. The Sheriff's Office maintains a seized property/evidence locker of reasonable size, and the cost would retrofit a portion of this space for surrendered firearms. Costs for training would be negligible. The county notes that this projected fiscal impact does not take into account the personnel time associated with processing the firearms, as new staff to meet the provisions of the bill would not be anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council