LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                               May 10, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Frank Madla, Chair, Senate Committee on
               Intergovernmental Relations
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB3695  by Merritt (Relating to the creation of an
               additional county court at law in Gregg County.), As
               Engrossed
  
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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 Gregg County,
subject to a vote in favor by the qualified voters of the county.  The
court would be created January 1, 2003. The bill would take effect
immediately. 

Currently, Gregg County has one county court at law. According to the
Gregg County Auditor's Office, the operating costs for the current court
are approximately $234,000 per year.  This includes ancillary personnel
and supplies.  It is estimated that up to an additional $10,000 would be
needed for equipment and furnishings as a one-time cost for a newly
established county court at law.  An auxiliary courtroom is available so
no construction costs are anticipated if the provisions of the bill are
implemented. 

The cost to Gregg County would be approximately $244,000 during the first
year of operation.  Thereafter, the cost is estimated be $234,000 per
year.
  
  
Source Agencies:   304   Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:         JK, DB