78R8723 RJA-D

By:  Bivins                                                       S.B. No. 1872


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to statutory authority to reduce appropriations made by the legislature to certain individuals and governmental entities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any statute to the contrary, the legislature, in its discretion, may determine the amount of each appropriation of state funds. The amounts or entitlements required by statute for individuals or entities that receive state funds under Article IV of the General Appropriations Act may be reduced or eliminated in order to achieve a balanced budget. SECTION 2. An active, former, or retired visiting judge or justice is not entitled to an amount from the state for expenses, per diem, travel, or salary that exceeds the amount authorized for those purposes by the General Appropriations Act. SECTION 3. A local administrative district judge is not entitled to a salary from the state under Section 659.0125, Government Code, that exceeds the amount authorized for that salary by the General Appropriations Act. SECTION 4. An active district judge is not entitled to travel expenses under Section 24.019, Government Code, in an amount that exceeds the amount authorized for those expenses by the General Appropriations Act. SECTION 5. A judge, justice, or prosecuting attorney is not entitled to an amount from the state for a salary, a salary supplement, office expenses or reimbursement of office expenses, or travel that exceeds the amount authorized for those purposes by the General Appropriations Act. SECTION 6. (a) A county is not entitled to receive from the state supplemental salary compensation for county prosecutors under Section 46.0031, Government Code, or longevity pay supplements reimbursement under Section 41.255, Government Code, or any other supplements for prosecutors, in an amount that exceeds the amount appropriated for those purposes by the General Appropriations Act. (b) A county is not entitled to state contributions for salaries or supplements under Chapter 25 or 26, Government Code, in an amount that exceeds the amounts appropriated for those purposes in the General Appropriations Act. (c) A county is not entitled to reimbursement under Article 11.071, Code of Criminal Procedure, for reimbursement for compensation of counsel under that article in an amount that exceeds the amount appropriated for that purpose in the General Appropriations Act. SECTION 7. A person reimbursed by the state for travel and expenses for attendance as a witness as provided by Article 35.27, Code of Criminal Procedure, is not entitled to an amount that exceeds the amount appropriated for that purpose by the General Appropriations Act. SECTION 8. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.