LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session February 7, 2001 TO: Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on Judicial Affairs FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB177 by Luna, Vilma (Relating to the authority of the commissioners court of a county to create a justice court technology fund and to require certain defendants to pay court costs for deposit in the fund.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** Local Government Impact The bill would create an optional justice court technology court cost of up to $4 on Class C misdemeanor offenses. The fund would be approved and administered by the county commissioner's court. The fund would finance the purchase of specific technological enhancements for the justice of the peace courts. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2001 and would apply only to an offense committed on or after that date and before September 1, 2005. Current law provides that only municipal courts may collect an additional local technology court cost of up to $4 with the approval of their city councils. The following estimates were made based on the maximum rate of $4 per offense over a 12-month period: The Comal County Treasurer estimated that approximately 21,011 total offenses would generate additional revenue of $84,044 for computer technology in their four justice of the peace courts. Montgomery County estimated 40,662 offenses for a projected revenue of $162,648 in additional funds. Hansford County estimated 600 cases for additional collections of $2400. Taylor County estimated 30,520 offenses for an additional $122,080 for computer technology in their five justice of the peace courts. Two of the four justice of the peace courts in Kerr County estimated 1,828 offenses for additional collections of $7,312. Based on the maximum proposed rate of $4 per offense, there would be a significant revenue gain to counties to be used on computer technology in their justice of the peace courts. The gain would vary by county, depending on size and caseload. The bill would have no fiscal implications after September 1, 2005. Source Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: JK, TB, JB, DB