LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 3, 2003

TO:	Honorable Frank Madla, Chair, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1066 by Goodman (Relating to the continuance of the municipal court technology fund and the purposes for which the fund may be used.), As Engrossed

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would repeal the requirement that the municipal court technology fund be discontinued on September 1, 2005 and would also specify that the fund could be used not only for the purchase, but also the maintenance of technological enhancements for a municipal court or municipal court of record. The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.

Local Government Impact

Local governments that currently impose the municipal court technology fee would be allowed to continue collecting funds after August 31, 2003. The fee funds technological improvements in the courts. Five cities of various population sizes and the Texas Court Clerks Association responded to an inquiry regarding the bill. All indicated that the positive fiscal impact of the fee has helped fund a number of systems and equipment that have improved services offered in the courts. Each indicated that continuation of the fund would provide a positive fiscal impact that would ensure the technological systems and equipment are kept current and that planned projects can be implemented.

 

The San Antonio Municipal Court collects approximately $460,000 per year and the Arlington Municipal Court collects approximately $150,000 per year. Both courts will use the funds to pay programming and equipment costs for an Electronic Document Management System. Many other courts benefit from the fee, from the $7,026 collected in fiscal year 2002 by the municipal courts in the City of Castle Hills to the $593,104 collected in fiscal year 2002 by the City of Austin municipal courts.

Source Agencies:	212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council
LBB Staff:	JK, JB, DLBa, KG