LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session May 2, 1995 TO: Honorable Don Henderson, Chair IN RE: House BillNo. 2574, Committee on Jurisprudence as engrossed Senate By: Uher, et al. Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No. 2574 (Relating to the responsibilities of the Matagorda County Attorney and creating the office of district attorney for the 329th Judicial District in Wharton County.) this office has determined the following: The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill would create the office of district attorney for the 329th Judicial District composed of Wharton County and would outline the responsibilities of the Matagorda County Attorney. The new district attorney would be subject to the Professional Prosecutors Law. Under the provisions of the bill, the state could incur costs of $99,868 for the salary and benefits of a district attorney as well as the $27,650 annual supplement for office expenses. Matagorda County could incur costs for an increase in the county's share of the district attorney's office and personnel expenses. The amount is dependent on decisions of local officials and cannot be determined. Wharton County could incur costs for the salaries and benefits of the district attorney's staff. The costs for salaries and benefits for a secretary and investigator would total approximately $45,000 annually. The probable fiscal implication of implementing the provisions of the bill during each of the first five years following passage is estimated as follows: Fiscal Probable Cost Out Year of General Revenue Fund 001 1996 $127,518 1997 127,518 1998 127,518 1999 127,518 2000 127,518 Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the provisions of the bill are in effect. Source: Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: JK, BR, RR