LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
  
                              April 6, 1999
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Juan Hinojosa, Chair, House Committee on
               Criminal Jurisprudence
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB1923  by Yarbrough (Relating to the imposition of court
               costs on persons convicted of certain traffic offenses in
               certain municipalities.), As Introduced
  
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*  No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.                    *
*                                                                        *
*  The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal      *
*  basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of    *
*  the bill.                                                             *
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Local Government Impact
  
The bill would add an additional $25 child safety court cost for all
persons convicted of moving vehicle and inspection violations that occur
within school crossing zones. Current law requires the $25 local court
cost in cities with a population of 400,000 or more. The court cost is
deposited into a fund used for school crossing guard programs.

Prior to September 1, 1997, the court cost was collected by all cities.
Five cities with a population of less than 400,000 were contacted by the
Comptroller's office. Using historical data prior to September 1, 1997
and current records of violations where possible, revenues for the
additional court cost were estimated as follows:

Waxahachie $  1,950
Odessa        $19,450
McAllen       $  2,350
San Angelo $44,875
Sealy        $  1,050
 
All cities with a population of less than 400,000 would experience
moderate gains in revenue to fund school crossing guard programs.  The
revenue would depend on the number of violations occurring within school
crossing zones and collection rates.
  
  
Source Agencies:   
LBB Staff:         JK, MD, TL