H.B. 3273 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 3273
By: Gallego
Judicial Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 75th Legislature created the Judicial Committee on Information
Technology ("JCIT") in 1997 to facilitate the systematic implementation
and integration of information technology in the Texas court system.  H.B.
3273 permits the Office of Court Administration ("OCA") to use
appropriated funds in furtherance of this objective. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3273 amends the Government Code to provide that upon recommendation
of the Judicial Committee on Information Technology ("JCIT") and approval
by the Chief Justice, the Office of Court Administration ("OCA") may use
appropriated funds to grant funding to or purchase equipment to be
provided to trial courts to provide technological support in order to
improve the efficient administration of justice.   

The bill also mandates that the JCIT recommend distributions of funds or
equipment to courts from the judicial technology account in the judicial
fund or from general appropriations to the OCA in order to improve the
efficient administration of justice. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect on September 1, 2003.