LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              March 27, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Juan Hinojosa, Chair, House Committee on
               Criminal Jurisprudence
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  SB173  by Carona (Relating to the refund of cash to a
               surety in a criminal case.), As Engrossed
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
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Local Government Impact
  
The bill would authorize counties to deduct from bail bonds to be
refunded any outstanding fines and court costs owed by the defendant.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2001.

Under current law, counties must return all bail bond funds to a
defendant if and when the defendant complies with the conditions of the
bond, even if the defendant owes the court money, and frequently the
county is unable to collect the outstanding fines and fees.  The bill
would result in a revenue gain for the counties.  The amount of gain
would vary based on how many defendants who post and successfully
fulfill their bond requirements owe fines and fees.
  
  
Source Agencies:   
LBB Staff:         JK, JC, GG