LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 23, 2003

TO:
Honorable Will Hartnett, Chair, House Committee on Judicial Affairs
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB346 by Dutton (Relating to the period during which a person may be confined for contempt of court.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Government Code, Chapter 21 to limit the amount of time served by a person found in contempt of court in either a criminal case or a civil case.  The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives the vote of two-thirds of the members of each house.  Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2003.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.  This estimate assumes that statewide the number of persons held in local facilities for contempt of court for periods exceeding 18 months is not significant.  Accordingly, any cost savings from reductions in time served is not anticipated to be significant.


Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council
LBB Staff:
JK, GO, VDS, TB