LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session April 19, 2001 TO: Honorable Rodney Ellis, Chair, Senate Committee on Finance FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB1378 by Armbrister (Relating to criminal and civil fees.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** The bill would implement recommendations from the Comptroller's March 2001 report, "Issues and Recommendations Regarding the Structure of Court Costs and Fees." The bill would consolidate, standardize, and provide uniform reporting and remittance procedures for criminal court costs and fees, as well as civil fees collected by courts on behalf of the state. The bill would establish a consolidated court cost schedule for the following conviction categories in criminal cases: felony offenses, $133; Class A & B misdemeanors, $83; and Class C misdemeanors, $40. The bill would establish a consolidated court fee schedule for the following categories of civil cases in district court: family law, $45; all other, $50. Revenue generated from the consolidated court costs and fees would be remitted on a quarterly basis to the Comptroller for deposit to the proper accounts and funds. The Comptroller would allocate the revenue as if the fees and costs were still being collected separately. This bill would take effect January 1, 2002, and it would affect fees collected and criminal conduct occurring on or after the effective date. Conduct that occurred before the bill's effective date would continue to be governed by the law in effect at that time. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Local governments would see a small one-time gain by remitting all costs and fees on a quarterly basis instead of remitting select costs and fees monthly. Local governments would also see a small savings from a reduction in duplicative paperwork and reporting. Source Agencies: 405 Texas Department of Public Safety, 458 Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 212 Office of Court Administration, 802 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 696 Texas Department of Criminal Justice, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 302 Office of the Attorney General LBB Staff: JK, SD, TB, DW