LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 29, 2001 TO: Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on Judicial Affairs FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB3179 by Solis, Jim (Relating to court reporters and court reporting firms.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for * * HB3179, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: positive impact * * of $13,589 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 $(590) * * 2003 14,179 * * 2004 7,851 * * 2005 14,179 * * 2006 7,851 * **************************************************** All Funds, Five-Year Impact: *************************************************************************** *Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) * * Year General Revenue Fund from General Revenue Fund * * 0001 0001 * * 2002 $(13,070) $12,480 * * 2003 (5,261) 19,440 * * 2004 (4,869) 12,720 * * 2005 (5,261) 19,440 * * 2006 (4,869) 12,720 * *************************************************************************** Technology Impact The Court Reporters Certification Board (CRCB) estimates that contract programming to modify the agency's database to accommodate additional information will cost $6,000 in fiscal year 2002. Fiscal Analysis The bill would increase the number of members serving on the CRCB from 12 to 13. The bill would require the CRCB to issue registrations to court reporting firms and to maintain a complete record of each registration issued, renewed or revoked. The bill would enable the CRCB to set, with the Supreme Court's approval, and collect initial and renewal registration fees. The bill would require the CRCB to issue registrations to all court reporting firms currently registered with the agency before the effective date of the bill. The bill would enable the CRCB to seek an injunction or complaint against a practicing court reporting firm that is not registered. The bill would require the CRCB to receive and process complaints filed against court reporting firms, and to suspend or revoke a registration or reprimand firms in cases of verified complaints. The bill would enable firms to appeal disciplinary actions. The bill would take effect September 1, 2001. Methodology The CRCB estimates that one additional board members will require additional travel costs to attend the quarterly board meetings ($2,434 per year). The CRCB estimates additional operating costs for postage associated with registering and processing complaints against court reporting firms ($2,604 in fiscal year 2002 and $1,134 in fiscal year 2003). Postage and registration costs are based on the number of anticipated renewals per year according to a two year renewal schedule. The CRCB estimates it will require additional staff time of its Administrative Technician II (overtime) to handle registering and processing complaints for court reporting firms ($2,032 in fiscal year 2002 and $1,693 in fiscal year 2003). The CRCB assumes a $150 registration fee per firm once every two years would generate additional funds into general revenue ($12,480 in fiscal year 2002 and $19,440 in fiscal year 2003). Fees proposed by the CRCB would need to be approved by the Supreme Court. Issuing a registration to court reporting firms prior to September 1, 2001, that have already registered with the agency could have an initial cost to the CRCB and without the authority to charge a registration fee. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 204 Court Reporters Certification Board LBB Staff: JK, TB, RK