LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
  
                             February 5, 1999
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Rodney Ellis, Chair, Senate Committee on
               Jurisprudence
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  SB118  by Harris (Relating to the payment of restitution
               for the offense of criminal nonsupport of a child.), As
               Introduced
  
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*  No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.                    *
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Local Government Impact
  
If the bill were enacted, some counties could experience increased
administrative costs resulting from increased court registry activity.
The cost to counties would depend on the number of cases involved and
whether computer equipment enhancements or acquisitions would be
required.

Three counties provided cost estimates for the bill.

Dallas County estimates that the bill's enactment would require a
one-time computer programming change of approximately $10,000.

Denton County estimates that additional court registry activity would
require less than one half of one employee's time in the first year, or
approximately $10,000 in fiscal year 2000. If the bill eventually aids in
the successful enforcement of child support orders, then Denton County
expects that increased caseload would require the addition of one
additional employee at a cost of approximately $30,000 per year beginning
in fiscal years 2001 and beyond.

Randall County estimates that the if the enactment of the bill increases
caseload, an additional collection deputy would be required, resulting in
additional annual costs of approximately $23,900. Randall County also
estimates a one-time cost of computer equipment acquisition of
approximately $3,000 in fiscal year 2000 as a result of the bill's
enactment.

TECHNOLOGY IMPACT

Some counties would require additional computer equipment and/or
technology upgrades as a result of the bill's enactment. The cost would
depend on a county's existing technology infrastructure and the
increased workload resulting from the bill. Dallas County and Randall
County each anticipate one-time technology-related costs of $10,000 and
$3,000, respectively. Denton County expects that the county's current
computer system for child support collections could accommodate changes
resulting from the bill.
  
  
Source Agencies:   302   Office Of The Attorney General
LBB Staff:         JK, PE, SC, TL