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
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
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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