LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
February 9, 2001
TO: Honorable Royce West, Chair, Senate Committee on
Jurisprudence
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB395 by Duncan (Relating to the requirement that the
Texas Judicial Council conduct a statewide jury service
study and report the results of the study to the
legislature.), As Introduced
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Fundsfor *
* SB 395, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($65,000) through the *
* biennium ending August 31, 2003, if the effective date of the bill *
* is July 1, 2001; and a negative impact of ($65,000) through the *
* biennium ending August 31, 2003 if the effective date is September *
* 1, 2001. *
* *
* The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal *
* basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of *
* the bill. *
**************************************************************************
The following table assumes an effective date of July 1, 2001:
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
*****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from *
* General Revenue Fund *
* 0001 *
* 2001 $0 *
* 2002 (65,000) *
* 2003 0 *
* 2004 0 *
* 2005 0 *
*****************************************************
The following table assumes an effective date of September 1, 2001:
*****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from *
* General Revenue Fund *
* 0001 *
* 2002 $(65,000) *
* 2003 0 *
* 2004 0 *
* 2005 0 *
* 2006 0 *
*****************************************************
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Texas Judicial Council to conduct a statewide
jury service study and report the results to the legislature.
The bill would take effect July 1, 2001, assuming that it received the
requisite two-thirds majority votes in both houses of the Legislature.
Otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2001. The bill would
expire March 1, 2003.
Methodology
The Office of Court Administration (OCA) indicates in order to conduct
the study required by this bill the study would be developed and analyzed
upon completion by the National Center for State Courts through a
contract with OCA. The Texas Judicial Council is funded by the General
Revenue Fund from appropriations to the Office of Court Administration.
Costs of developing, implementing, and analyzing the study by the
National Center for State Courts is estimated to be $65,000. Costs of
the study are attributed to fiscal year 2002 regardless of the effective
date of the bill, July 1, 2001 or September 1, 2001, because it is
assumed that the Office of Court Administration would need an additional
appropriation to conduct the study.
The National Center for State Courts would require a researcher to
investigate the requirement of the study for development. The National
Center would mail the survey to each county and begin data entry and
analysis upon return of the information. The National Center would then
meet with the Texas Judicial Council with findings, recommendations, and
preparation of a final report.
It is assumed each county should be able assist in the study without the
need for additional personnel. The data necessary for the study is
assumed to be readily available from the county.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
Source Agencies: 212 Office of Court Administration
LBB Staff: JK, TB