LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 23, 2021

TO:
Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Finance
 
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB2222 by Nelson (Relating to requiring rifle resistant windshields for certain Department of Public Safety automobiles.), As Introduced

Depending on the additional resources needed to modify and reconfigure vehicles to accommodate rifle resistant windshields, there would be an indeterminate cost to the state.  Therefore, the fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time.

The bill would require that highway patrol vehicles be equipped with rifle resistant windshields. According to the Department of Public Safety, the material and installation cost for a rifle resistant windshield is roughly $25,000 per vehicle, with approximately 2,800 vehicles that would be affected. However, this initial estimate of $70 million does not account for regular replacements, breakage, and staff resources. In addition, there could be significant unknown costs to modify and reconfigure the vehicle frame to maintain its effectiveness while accommodating the windshield weight. 

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety
LBB Staff:
JMc, KK, SD, KFB