LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              April 23, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on
               Judicial Affairs
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB3171  by Thompson (Relating to the creation and
               composition of certain district courts.), As Introduced
  
**************************************************************************
*  Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for    *
*  HB3171, As Introduced:  positive impact of $513,096 through the       *
*  biennium ending August 31, 2003.                                      *
*                                                                        *
*  The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal      *
*  basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of    *
*  the bill.                                                             *
**************************************************************************
  
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
          ****************************************************
          *  Fiscal Year  Probable Net Positive/(Negative)   *
          *               Impact to General Revenue Related  *
          *                             Funds                *
          *       2002                             $256,548  *
          *       2003                              256,548  *
          *       2004                              256,548  *
          *       2005                              256,548  *
          *       2006                              256,548  *
          ****************************************************
  
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
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*Fiscal    Probable Savings/(Cost) from     Change in Number of State     *
* Year         General Revenue Fund           Employees from FY 2001      *
*                      0001                                               *
*  2002                          $256,548                             2.0 *
*  2003                           256,548                             2.0 *
*  2004                           256,548                             2.0 *
*  2005                           256,548                             2.0 *
*  2006                           256,548                             2.0 *
***************************************************************************
  
Fiscal Analysis
  
The bill would create two additional judicial districts, one each in
Hidalgo and Collin counties.  The new court in Hidalgo County would give
preference to matters under Title 3 of the Family Code.

The new courts would be created and the bill would take effect September
1, 2001.
  
  
Methodology
  
Costs to the state for two new district judges' salaries and benefits
would be $256,548 per year.
  
  
Local Government Impact
  
The Collin County Auditor indicated the bill would cost Collin County an
estimated $695,201 in salaries and operating expenses per year.  Collin
County would have additional one-time capital costs of $83,000 for
computer equipment and furniture during the first year of operation.

Hidalgo County would also incur similar kinds of costs under the bill.
  
  
Source Agencies:   212   Office of Court Administration, 304
                   Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:         JK, TB, JN