Honorable Bryan Hughes, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB798 by Nelson (Relating to the issuance of a birth record, driver's license, or personal identification certificate to victims and the children of victims of family or dating violence.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code related to the issuance of certified birth records, driver's licenses, and personal identification cards free of charge to victims of family or dating violence.
The bill would add new Section 191.00491 to the Health and Safety Code, stipulating a victim of dating or family violence, as defined in statute, would be issued a certified copy of the individual's birth certificate free of charge.
The bill would add new Section 521.1016 and amend Section 521.1811 of the Transportation Code, directing the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to issue a personal identification certificate or driver's license, respectively, to a victim of dating or family violence free of charge.
The bill would amend Section 521.4265 of the Transportation Code to include an amount equal to the waived fees for personal identification card in the amount DPS deposits to the credit of Appropriated Fund 0365 – Texas Mobility Fund under this Section.
Based upon information provided by DPS and Department of State Health Services (DSHS), it is assumed that the costs associated with the bill's provisions could be absorbed using existing resources.
While DSHS could implement the bill with current resources, it is anticipated that there would be less revenue generated for General Revenue-Dedicated Fund Account No. 19, Vital Statistics. The revenue loss would be entirely dependent on the number of birth certificates that might be issued free of charge. That number is not anticipated to be significant.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Association of Counties, a negative fiscal impact to counties is anticipated due to the costs associated with producing identification documents and the loss of fees collected for birth certificates.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety, 537 State Health Services