LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session May 26, 2001 TO: Honorable Bill Ratliff, Lieutenant Governor Honorable James E. "Pete" Laney, Speaker of the House 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.), Conference Committee Report ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** 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