LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
March 26, 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.), As Introduced
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* HB3179, As Introduced: positive impact of $4,891 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. *
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General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:
****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) *
* Impact to General Revenue Related *
* Funds *
* 2002 $(4,939) *
* 2003 9,830 *
* 2004 3,502 *
* 2005 9,830 *
* 2006 3,502 *
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All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
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*Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) *
* Year General Revenue Fund from General Revenue Fund *
* 0001 0001 *
* 2002 $(17,419) $12,480 *
* 2003 (9,610) 19,440 *
* 2004 (9,218) 12,720 *
* 2005 (9,610) 19,440 *
* 2006 (9,218) 12,720 *
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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 15. 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 three additional board members will require
additional travel costs to attend the quarterly board meetings ($6,783
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 $1,320 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. The CRCB estimates
issuing registrations to court reporting firms prior to September 1,
2001, that have already registered with the agency would 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: 213 Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney, 204
Court Reporters Certification Board, 302 Office of
the Attorney General
LBB Staff: JK, TB, JN, RK, DB