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.