LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 27, 2015

TO:
Honorable Dan Patrick, Lieutenant Governor, Senate
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB1287 by Hinojosa (Relating to the Texas Forensic Science Commission, the accreditation of crime laboratories, and the licensing and regulation of forensic analysts; authorizing fees; requiring an occupational license.), As Passed 2nd House

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require the Texas Forensic Science Commission to accredit crime laboratories; establish an occupational license and regulations for Forensic Analysts; authorize a certain fee; establish a method to collect forensic evidence for certain unidentified bodies; and establish an advisory committee to make recommendations on matters related to the licensing of forensic analysts. The bill would require the Texas Forensic Science Commission  to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding suggested changes to the licensing of Forensic Analysts by January 1, 2017.

It is assumed implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within current resources.

Local Government Impact

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


Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 758 Texas State University System
LBB Staff:
UP, JAW, CL, AI, KJo