LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              March 6, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Fred M. Bosse, Chair, House Committee on Civil
               Practices
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB1057  by Gallego (Relating to compensation for wrongful
               conviction.), As Introduced
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
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The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to provide
compensation for wrongful conviction based on either a full pardon or a
sworn statement of the sheriff, prosecuting attorney, and judge in the
county and court of offense, conviction, and release attesting to
erroneous conviction.  Currently, compensation is only available based on
a full pardon.

The bill would also bar liability of a governmental entity or employee
thereof after judgment or settlement under this Chapter.

The Office of Attorney General (OAG) anticipates that any legal work
resulting from the passage of this bill could reasonably be absorbed
within current resources.    The OAG reports that one wrongful
imprisonment lawsuit was funded by the 76th session.  Currently, three,
possibly four, lawsuits are awaiting funding.  The OAG anticipates having
a similar number of suits each session.
  
Local Government Impact
  
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
  
  
Source Agencies:   304   Comptroller of Public Accounts, 302   Office of
                   the Attorney General
LBB Staff:         JK, TB