LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 30, 2003

TO:	Honorable Joe Nixon, Chair, House Committee on Civil Practices
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB812 by Gutierrez (Relating to distribution of part of each exemplary damage award to the permanent school fund.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

This bill would amend Chapter 41 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, relating to exemplary damage awards. The bill would award 75 percent of exemplary damages paid to the Permanent School Fund (PSF). Of the remaining amount, 15 percent would be distributed to the claimant and 10 percent would be distributed to the claimant's attorney. The bill would have a minimal impact to affected agencies. This bill would take effect September 1, 2003, and it would apply only to damages awarded for a cause of action that accrued on or after the effective date.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:	212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 701 Central Education Agency
LBB Staff:	JK, GO