LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 7, 2003

TO:	Honorable Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2387 by Casteel (Relating to the appointment of an attorney to represent the interests of a proposed ward in certain guardianship proceedings.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

This bill would allow the court to appoint a ward's own attorney in a guardianship proceeding, in lieu of appointing a guardian ad litem, and would require that an attorney so appointed be paid out of the ward’s estate. Implementing the provisions of this bill result in savings to counties in attorney ad litem fees, but the savings are not expected to be significant.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated, as explained above.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 530 Department of Protective and Regulatory Services

LBB Staff:

JK, GO, WP, SJS, KG