LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              March 8, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on
               Judicial Affairs
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB2314  by Solomons (Relating to the creation of the
               County Court at Law No. 2 of Denton County and to the
               jurisdiction of and certain procedure in that court.),
               As Introduced
  
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*  No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.                    *
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Local Government Impact
  
The bill would create an additional county court at law for Denton
County.  The bill would give the new court jurisdiction over all civil
causes and proceedings, original and appellate, prescribed by law for
county courts. The bill would take effect and the new court would be
created May 1, 2002. 

Under current law, Denton County has six statutory county courts: one
county court at law and five county criminal courts. The Comptroller of
Public Accounts contacted the Denton County Budget Office for
information to develop cost estimates for this bill. The creation of the
new court would cost the county an estimated $404,619 each year plus a
one-time capital cost of $67,125.  Annual costs to the county include
salaries and benefits of the judge and ancillary court personnel and
other operating expenses (supplies and maintenance).  One-time capital
costs include technology expenses and furnishings.
  
  
Source Agencies:   212   Office of Court Administration, 304
                   Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:         JK, TB, DB