Texas Fiscal Notes

Texas has strict requirements for fiscal notes:

LEGAL BASIS, RULES, AND REQUIREMENTS

... Section 314.001 of the Texas Government Code, as enacted by the Sixty-third Legislature, Regular Session, 1973 [establishes] a system of fiscal notes identifying the probable impact of each bill or resolution that authorizes or requires the expenditure or diversion of any state funds for any purpose other than those provided for in the general appropriations bill.

The statute requires that the fiscal impact be projected for the fi ve-year period that begins on the effective date of the bill or resolution and shall state whether or not the impact will continue thereafter. The director of the LBB may choose to project the fiscal impact beyond the five-year period. In addition to the estimate, the fiscal note identifies the portions of the bill that would create the fiscal impact.

The statute also requires a fiscal note for any bill or joint resolution that would have statewide impact on all units of government of the same type or class, such as all cities or all counties. For example, a bill that would authorize or require the expenditure of local funds or propose an increase, decrease, or new local tax, fee, license charge or penalty would require a fiscal note.