LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 29, 2003

TO:	Honorable Joe Nixon, Chair, House Committee on Civil Practices
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3055 by Deshotel (Relating to certain probate fees.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Local Government Code to require a fee for certain probate court actions.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.

Currently, there is no charge for recording a document after the filing of an order approving the inventory and appraisement, or after the 120th day after the date of the initial filing of the action, whichever occurred first. The bill would require a $3 charge for the first page and $2 for each additional page or part of a page.

Several county clerks were contacted regarding the fiscal impact of the provisions of the bill. The Rockwall County Clerk estimated that implementation of the bill would increase revenue by approximately $950 per year. The Fort Bend County Clerk estimated an increase of $6,000 per year.
The Coryell County Clerk estimated $720 in increased revenue annually. The Williamson County Clerk estimates the proposed fee structure would generate an additional $1,700 to $2,000 annually. The County Clerk in Midland County estimates an additional $15,000 would be generated annually. 

Local Government Impact

The fiscal impact would vary by county depending on the number of applicable documents filed and the number of pages of each document.

Source Agencies:	304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:	JK, GO, DLBa