LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 6, 2003

TO:	Honorable Glenn Lewis, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3081 by Casteel (Relating to facilities outside of a county seat.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would authorize a county commissioners court to designate places located in the county but outside the municipality as auxiliary courts for the holding of court proceedings in any courts, including district courts. The records of any court sitting in an auxiliary county seat, including the records of the court clerk, may be kept in the auxiliary county seat. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2003.

Under current statute, a county commissioners court may provide office space in a building or facility for any county or precinct office at an auxiliary location, but the records would be retained at the county seat. Additionally, district courts are not included under existing statute as a court that may hold proceedings at an auxilary location.

A county that would choose to establish an auxiliary county seat would incur additional costs for the office space, furniture, equipment, utilities, and possibly an additional clerk to administer the files of records.

Local Government Impact

The costs would vary by county, depending on the number of auxiliary courts established, the extent of records filed at the auxilary location, and the level of business conducted in the courts at the auxiliary county seat. County clerks anticipate the costs would be significant.

Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:	JK, DLBa