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 ************************************************************************** * No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** 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