Funds collected for certified copies; allow use for public health programs and completion of other recordkeeping and statistics.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Hob Bryan and 1 co-sponsor

SB 2743 allows fee revenues from certified copies to fund public health programs and improve related recordkeeping and statistics.

Approved by Governor

#appropriations #appropriationsa #publichealthandhumanservices #publichealthandwelfare

Purpose / Intent

SB 2743 authorizes the use of fee revenue collected for certified copies (e.g., certified copies of vital records or other official documents) for broader public health purposes and for completing related recordkeeping and statistical functions. The bill is intended to give the agency that collects these fees greater flexibility to apply the funds to public health programs and to maintain/complete data, records, and statistics necessary for program administration and public health monitoring.

Key provisions

Authorizes (or clarifies) that funds collected from fees for certified copies may be used to support:

Public health programs; and
Completion, maintenance, or improvement of recordkeeping and statistical activities related to those records.

Changes/affirms how fee revenue is treated for appropriation purposes so the collecting agency can expend the revenues for the newly authorized uses (subject to any existing statutory limits or appropriation rules).

Does not specify new fee amounts or new taxes; it changes permitted uses of existing fee-collected funds.

The bill falls under appropriations and public health statutes; it likely requires agency accounting and compliance with existing appropriation procedures (the bill text would specify any reporting or oversight requirements).

(Note: the bill text was not provided; the above reflects the title and subject-matter scope.)

Who is affected

State agencies that collect fees for certified copies (most likely the department(s) that manage vital records and other official documents).

Public health programs that could receive additional support from these fee revenues.

Users indirectly, insofar as fee revenue is reallocated to fund public-health data systems and program activities rather than go to the general fund.

Legislators and budget/appropriations committees (because use of fee revenue affects budget planning and oversight).

Procedural / timeline highlights

Introduced: March 13, 2025 (filed with Secretary of the Senate).

Passed respective chambers during early 2025 session (committee referrals and votes noted in Jan–Mar 2025 actions).

Enrolled bill signed: March 18, 2025.

Approved by Governor: March 21, 2025.

Additional committee and floor actions recorded through April–May 2025 (including State Affairs consideration and committee reports).

Potential impacts to note

Provides agencies with greater flexibility to fund public health initiatives and to improve data/record infrastructure without relying solely on general fund dollars.

May improve timeliness and quality of public health statistics and recordkeeping if funds are invested in systems or staffing.

Could reduce available fee revenue for other statutory uses if reallocation is not offset elsewhere; oversight and transparent accounting will determine fiscal effects.

Fiscal impacts (dollar amounts, net effect on general fund) are not stated here — the enrolled bill or fiscal note would contain those specifics.

For the precise statutory changes, appropriation details, and any reporting requirements, consult the enrolled bill text and the fiscal note associated with SB 2743 (or companion HB 4705).

Bill