LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
May 10, 2001
TO: Honorable Rodney Ellis, Chair, Senate Committee on Finance
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB1813 by Ellis, Rodney (Relating to the creation,
composition, and operation of certain district courts.),
Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* SB1813, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: negative impact *
* of $(1,405,014) through the biennium ending August 31, 2003. *
* *
* The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal *
* basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of *
* the bill. *
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General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:
****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) *
* Impact to General Revenue Related *
* Funds *
* 2002 $(638,370) *
* 2003 (766,644) *
* 2004 (766,644) *
* 2005 (766,644) *
* 2006 (766,644) *
****************************************************
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
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*Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Change in Number of State *
* Year General Revenue Fund Employees from FY 2001 *
* 0001 *
* 2002 $(638,370) 5.0 *
* 2003 (766,644) 6.0 *
* 2004 (766,644) 6.0 *
* 2005 (766,644) 6.0 *
* 2006 (766,644) 6.0 *
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Fiscal Analysis
The bill would create six new judicial districts - the 397th in Collin
County, the 412th in Fannin County, the 413th in Johnson and Somervell
counties, the 414th in Nacogdoches County, the 415th in Travis County,
and the 416th in McLennan County. The bill would also remove Fannin
County from the 6th and 336th Judicial Districts. In addition, the bill
would remove Leon County from the 12th and 278th Judicial Districts and
place the county in the 369th Judicial District.
There would be a cost to the state in the first year of $641,370 per year
for five new judges' salaries and benefits. In the second year and
thereafter, the cost to the state for six judges would be $769,644 per
year. In addition, there would be a net savings of $3,000 per year in
travel costs.
The 397th, 412th, 413th, 414th, and 416th Judicial Districts would be
created and the bill would take effect September 1, 2001. The 415th
Judicial District would be created September 1, 2002.
Methodology
The state pays a district judge $128,274 per year in salary and benefits.
In multi-county districts, judges are paid $1,500 per county per year
for travel. Removing Fannin County from the 6th and 336th Judicial
Districts would save the state $3,000 in travel. In addition, the 336th
Judicial District would become a single-county district, so another
$1,500 in travel would be saved. However, the creation of the
multi-county 413th Judicial District would cost the state $3,000 per
year in travel. Removing Leon County from the 12th and 278th Judicial
Districts would save the state $3,000 in travel, but the addition of the
county to the 369th Judicial District would cost $1,500. Therefore, the
net travel savings each fiscal year would amount to $3,000.
Local Government Impact
Local cost information was provided by the County Auditors or the County
Judge in Collin, Fannin, Johnson, Somervell, Nacogdoches, Travis, and
McLennan counties.
In Collin County, costs would include salaries and benefits for court
personnel and other operating expenses totaling $695,201. Capital
expenses for furniture and equipment would be a one-time local expense of
$83,000. The county has existing space for the new court.
Additional costs to Fannin County would be approximately $112,840
annually in salaries, benefits, and other operating expenses. No
additional capital outlay is anticipated.
Costs for Johnson County would include salaries and benefits for
ancillary court personnel and other operating expenses in the amount of
$380,246 per year. The Auditor also estimated an initial capital outlay
of $610,000 for a courtroom facility, plus an annual cost of $36,000 in
utilities and $16,244 in furniture and computers. Johnson and Somervell
counties have a historical informal agreement to share local costs for
the district courts. The proposed share of cost reported for Somervell
County would be $3,439 for the salary and benefits for three court
reporters.
In Nacogdoches County, the new court is projected to cost approximately
$352,000 for ancillary personnel and operating expenses. The new court
and support staff would also need some $30,000 in new furniture and
equipment. Court and office space would be provided at the Commissioners
Courtroom until a new courtroom is renovated which will be within two
years. Renovations of the new courtroom are estimated to be between
$50,000 and $100,000.
Local costs in Travis County would include salaries and benefits for
court personnel and other operating expenses totaling $375,291. Capital
expenses for furniture and equipment would be an additional one-time
local expense of $41,800.
The McLennan County Judge's Office furnished the costs to create the
judicial district. The new court would cost the county $246,600 per year
for salaries and operating expenses. There would be an additional
$52,000 in one-time capital outlays and remodeling expenses.
Source Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff: JK, SD, TB