Honorable Philip Cortez, Chair, House Committee on Urban Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1196 by Hinojosa (Relating to the issuance of a certified birth record, driver's license, or personal identification certificate to a homeless individual.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), a local registrar, or a county clerk to issue a certified copy of an individual's birth record without a fee to a homeless individual who requests it. The bill would require the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to issue a driver's license or personal identification certificate without fee to a homeless individual. DSHS and DPS indicated the provisions of the bill could be implemented within existing resources.
The bill could result in a decrease in revenue to General Revenue-Dedicated Account No. 19, Vital Statistics, due to the provision of birth records to homeless individuals without fees, but the decrease is not expected to be significant.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Association of Counties, birth certificate issuances cost counties approximately $21 per certificate, not including the cost of verification of homeless status. Depending on how the request is received and how many individuals request a birth certificate, counties may experience a negative fiscal impact.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety, 537 State Health Services