Honorable Giovanni Capriglione, Chair, House Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3711 by Capriglione (Relating to the investigation and prosecution of certain open meetings offenses as offenses against public administration.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3711, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($5,366,009) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2026
($3,349,146)
2027
($2,016,863)
2028
($2,016,863)
2029
($2,016,863)
2030
($2,016,863)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2025
2026
($3,349,146)
11.0
2027
($2,016,863)
11.0
2028
($2,016,863)
11.0
2029
($2,016,863)
11.0
2030
($2,016,863)
11.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would add Open Meeting Act violations committed by certain local government officials to the Texas Ranger's Public Integrity Unit (PIU) area of responsibility.
Methodology
According to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could not be absorbed within existing resources. DPS states that 6.0 additional Texas Rangers, one for each DPS region, would be needed to investigate the anticipated increase of PIU cases. Additionally, DPS estimates the agency would need an additional 5.0 full-time equivalent positions to support the unit, including 1.0 Administrative Assistant III, 1.0 Criminal Intelligence Analyst III, 1.0 Forensic Scientist IV, 1.0 Police Communications Operator IV, and 1.0 Program Specialist V.
This analysis includes $1,536,485 in fiscal year 2026 and $$1,536,485 in fiscal year 2027 for salary and benefits. Other costs including rent, consumables supplies, travel, other operating expenses, and capital expenditures would total $1,812,661 in fiscal year 2026 and $480,378 in fiscal year 2027.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.