According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 793 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the State of Texas. The bill’s implementation, which mandates confidentiality protections for certain personal information in protective order proceedings, is anticipated to be manageable within the existing resources of state agencies, particularly the Office of Court Administration (OCA)​.

From a local government standpoint, HB 793 is likewise projected to have no significant fiscal implications. County and district courts, which handle protective order cases, are expected to incorporate the confidentiality procedures outlined in the bill without requiring additional appropriations or staffing increases. The requirement for courts to maintain confidential records and inform applicants of their rights should be achievable using current clerical and case management infrastructure.

Overall, HB 793 represents a policy shift rather than a budgetary one. Its fiscal neutrality stems from the fact that it formalizes and standardizes processes that courts may already be informally conducting under discretionary authority. As such, the bill aims to increase consistency and victim protection without creating new financial burdens for state or local entities.

HB 793 strengthens the legal framework for protecting the privacy and safety of individuals seeking or covered by protective orders, without expanding the size or regulatory reach of government. By converting existing discretionary confidentiality provisions into mandatory protections, the bill ensures consistent safeguards for survivors of domestic violence, stalking, or related threats across Texas jurisdictions. This change directly addresses concerns that fear of exposure may deter victims from seeking help through the court system​.

The bill does not create new agencies, enforcement mechanisms, or regulatory oversight. Instead, it refines existing judicial processes to promote clarity, consistency, and fairness. The added administrative responsibilities—such as informing applicants of their rights or maintaining confidential records—fall within the routine functions of courts and clerks and do not represent a structural expansion of government power. Applicants choosing to withhold their address must simply designate a third party to receive court communications, which is a narrowly tailored procedural safeguard rather than a burdensome requirement​.

From a fiscal standpoint, the Legislative Budget Board found no significant cost to state or local governments, as the changes can be implemented using current resources and infrastructure​. There are also no new costs or compliance burdens imposed on private individuals or businesses.

In sum, HB 793 represents a policy refinement rooted in enhancing individual liberty and safety. It reinforces limited government by requiring consistent implementation of protections already contemplated in law, imposes no new taxes or business regulations, and aligns with broad bipartisan support for safeguarding victims while maintaining judicial efficiency and fiscal restraint. Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 793.

• Individual Liberty: The bill enhances personal freedom and safety by ensuring that individuals seeking protective orders—often victims of domestic violence or stalking—can shield their home addresses, phone numbers, and other sensitive information from public view and from the person they’re seeking protection from. This protects the right to privacy and bodily autonomy, reinforcing an individual’s control over their personal security and information.
• Personal Responsibility: HB 793 encourages people to take proactive steps to protect themselves by giving them a guaranteed right to keep their information confidential. It also makes them responsible for designating someone to receive court notices on their behalf—balancing privacy with due process. It supports a system where individuals can responsibly engage with the legal system without sacrificing their safety.
• Free Enterprise: HB 793 does not regulate, restrict, or burden businesses or market activities in any way.
• Private Property Rights: While not directly related to property ownership or use, the bill does indirectly protect a person’s private residence and its location by ensuring it remains confidential when personal safety is at risk.
• Limited Government: The bill does not grow the size or scope of government. It simply clarifies and standardizes existing judicial procedures across all courts. Rather than expanding power, it removes inconsistent discretion and ensures courts protect private information when requested. It strengthens procedural fairness without creating new agencies, programs, or regulatory powers.

• SB 1807 (Same As)