LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
  
                                May 8, 1999
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Fred Bosse, Chair, House Committee on Civil
               Practices
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  SB1718  by Ellis, Rodney (Relating to alternative dispute
               resolution systems established by counties.), As Engrossed
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
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Local Government Impact
  
The bill would allow the commissioners court of a county with a
population of 2.5 million or more to set a court cost not to exceed $3
for civil cases filed in justice of the peace courts. This $3 cost would
be used to establish and maintain an alternative dispute resolution
system. According to Harris County, 62,561 civil cases were filed in
1998 the justice of the peace courts. Based on this number of cases,
Harris County would expect to receive an additional $187,683 per year in
additional revenue for an alternative dispute resolution system.
  
  
Source Agencies:   
LBB Staff:         JK, PE, TL