LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 19, 2001 TO: Honorable Fred M. Bosse, Chair, House Committee on Civil Practices FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB176 by Luna, Vilma (Relating to the use of telecommunication in certain civil pretrial and trial proceedings.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to allow the use of telecommunication for certain civil court proceedings, if ordered by a trial or appellate judge. A hearing of a preliminary matter, a deposition, witness testimony at a trial, or any appellate proceeding would qualify to be conducted by telecommunication. The use of telecommunication could occur only if the method allowed instantaneous, recordable, two-way image and sound communication between all involved parties, including the court. A person could obtain a videotaped copy of the proceeding upon payment of a reasonable fee to the clerk of the court. This fee would cover the costs of producing the copy. Expenses incurred by a court in the use of telecommunication for a proceeding would be assessed and collected as court costs. The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment, assuming that it received the requisite two-thirds majority votes in both houses of the Legislature. Otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2001. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 212 Office of Court Administration LBB Staff: JK, TB, JN, DB