LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                               May 11, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Juan Hinojosa, Chair, House Committee on
               Criminal Jurisprudence
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  SB1120  by Armbrister (relating to the liability of a
               criminal defendant and the defendant's sureties on a bond
               and to certain procedures in connection with a bond
               forfeiture.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
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Local Government Impact
  
Dallas, Travis, Denton, Harris, and Brazos counties were contacted
regarding the bill.  The Texas District and County Attorney's Association
was also contacted.  Local officials reported that the bill would have a
significant fiscal impact.  Brazos County reports an annual revenue loss
between $78,000 and $120,000. Denton County reports an annual revenue
loss between $175,000 and $200,000. Harris County esimates a revenue loss
of $2 million the first year, and $1.5 million annually after the first
year.  Local officials in Harris County indicated that their current
policy allows them to recover 100 percent of misdemeanor forfeitures at
four months, and a 100 percent of felony forfeitures at ten months.
Dallas County estimates an annual revenue loss of 640,000, and Travis
County estimates annual revenue loss between $250,000 and $300,000.

Additionally, Dallas County and Travis County indicated there would be
the need to hire an additional FTE in order to audit records and
determine penalties.  This would result in an annual cost of $40,000 for
each county.
  
  
Source Agencies:   
LBB Staff:         JK, JC, DW