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No significant fiscal implication to the State.
Local Government Impact
The fiscal impact may vary based on size and resources of local law
enforcement departments. For example, the Mineral Wells Police
Department reported significant costs associated with implementing the
provisions of the bill. The department would require an additional staff
member and new office space for total cost of $101,619 for the first
year. Approximately, $57,533 would be required for staffing, training,
and equipment each year thereafter. Revenue generated from fees
associated with certification would be insignificant.
Some law enforcement officers with authority to sign off on a Class III firearms application refuse to sign the application for no good reason because of their personal opposition to Class III weapons. SB 476 would help further protect an individual's civil rights guaranteed under the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution by preventing local law enforcement from making autonomous decisions on whether or not certain weapons should be owned by individuals. Government should protect the rights of the individual even against decisions of local government that infringe upon those rights. Additionally, the bill does provide a way for law enforcement to deny the applicant if there is a legal basis to do so, which upholds the law of the land. This effectively makes the Class III application "shall issue" which means that unless the applicant is legally barred from owning such a weapon, the permit shall be issued.
SB 476 would affirm the principle of limited government, therefore we support this legislation.