LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              March 13, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on
               Judicial Affairs
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB1979  by Chavez (Relating to the creation of additional
               statutory county courts in El Paso County and to the
               administration, jurisdiction, and operation of statutory
               and district courts in that county.), Committee Report
               1st House, Substituted
  
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*  No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.                    *
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Local Government Impact
  
The bill would create two new county criminal courts at law in El Paso
County. The bill would take effect and the new courts would be created
January 1, 2002. 

The Comptroller of Public Accounts contacted the El Paso County Auditor's
Office and was told the estimated budget for the new courts would be
$1,331,768 for salaries and operating expenses.  There would also be a
one time capital outlay for equipment of $62,000.
  
  
Source Agencies:   304   Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:         JK, TB, DB