According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), the fiscal implications of HB 3033 are expected to be minimal and manageable within existing state resources. The bill is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact on the state. The primary cost consideration involves updating the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) online systems, specifically, modifying Texas.gov to include an option for driver’s license applicants to make voluntary donations to the new grant program. However, both the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Information Resources indicate that any such costs could be absorbed using current agency resources.

The bill would result in the creation of a dedicated account within the General Revenue Fund for the nonprofit grant program. Contributions to this account would come from voluntary donations made by applicants for or renewers of driver’s licenses, personal IDs, or commercial driver’s licenses. While the Comptroller expects some increase in revenue from these donations, the amount is indeterminate at this time because participation is voluntary and the volume of contributions cannot be reliably forecasted. Therefore, the full revenue impact to the state remains uncertain.

It is also noted that the bill establishes a new dedicated revenue source and fund account, which could be subject to legislative review under the state’s funds consolidation process. Nonetheless, since the donations are voluntary and administration costs may be deducted before transfer to the Comptroller, the structure of the bill is fiscally conservative. Finally, there are no expected fiscal implications for local governments under this legislation.

In sum, the fiscal framework of HB 3033 is designed to be low-cost and self-sustaining, relying on voluntary public participation and limited use of existing administrative capacity, with no significant burden on state or local budgets.

The bill creates a narrowly tailored, voluntary grant program designed to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations that assist employees of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and their families, particularly in cases where an officer is injured or killed in the line of duty. It allows individuals renewing or applying for a driver’s license or ID to optionally contribute $3 or more to this program. These donations are then deposited into a newly created dedicated account and may be distributed to eligible nonprofits through a DPS-administered grant process.

Importantly, the bill is fiscally conservative. The Legislative Budget Board determined there would be no significant fiscal impact on the state or local governments. Administrative costs associated with implementing the program, such as system updates to include the donation option, can be absorbed by existing DPS and Department of Information Resources budgets. There is no appropriation of taxpayer dollars, and the program is entirely funded by voluntary contributions, not mandatory fees or taxes.

While the bill does create a new administrative responsibility for DPS, this does not represent a significant growth in the size or coercive scope of government. The agency already has grant administration experience, and the program’s operational scope is modest, with built-in accountability via audits by the Comptroller. There are no new mandates, regulations, or compliance burdens imposed on individuals, businesses, or nonprofits. Participation is voluntary at every level, for both donors and nonprofit applicants.

In summary, HB 3033 supports law enforcement personnel and their families in a voluntary, transparent, and fiscally responsible manner. It avoids expanding government through taxation or regulation and aligns with key principles of individual liberty, limited government, and civic engagement. As such, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 3033.

• Individual Liberty: The bill enhances individual liberty by ensuring participation in the program is entirely voluntary. Texans are free to choose whether or not to contribute when applying for or renewing a driver's license or ID. There is no mandate, fee, or penalty attached to non-participation. This preserves the autonomy of individuals while offering an opportunity to support a cause many may value, assisting public safety personnel and their families in times of need.
• Personal Responsibility: The bill encourages a culture of civic responsibility by allowing Texans to voluntarily support the families of those who serve and sacrifice for public safety. Rather than relying on coercive taxation or state mandates, the program is driven by individual choices. It offers a framework for charitable giving through public infrastructure, thereby reinforcing the idea that individuals, not the state, should lead in providing community support when possible.
• Free Enterprise: The bill does not impose any restrictions or requirements on private businesses or economic activity. It operates entirely within the public sector and relies on nonprofit entities to deliver services. The use of grant funding to support nonprofits—rather than expanding DPS or creating new government departments- leverages civil society in a manner compatible with free enterprise and voluntary association.
• Private Property Rights: There is no infringement on private property or financial coercion involved in this bill. Individuals are not required to pay, donate, or surrender any property or rights. The bill respects the sanctity of private decisions, including whether or not to support the fund. It also avoids creating any precedent for the use of state resources to compel charitable support.
• Limited Government: While the bill does create a new grant program, it is bounded in scope and does not involve new taxes, regulatory authority, or expansion of state enforcement. Administrative costs are limited to what DPS can deduct from contributions, and oversight is provided through required audits by the Comptroller. The government merely serves as a pass-through and administrator of voluntarily donated funds. This minimal, clearly defined role adheres to the principle of limited and transparent government.

• SB 2190 (Same As)