LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 23, 2003

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HJR44 by Hughes (Proposing a constitutional amendment to permit a six-person jury in a district court misdemeanor trial.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated, other than the cost of publication.

The cost to the state for publication of the resolution is $85,275.

The resolution would amend Section 13, Article V, Texas Constitution, relating to the the number of jurors required for certain district court criminal trials. The bill would require misdemeanor cases in district courts to have juries consisting of six members, rather than twelve.  The proposed constitutional amendment would be submitted to the voters at an election to be held September 13, 2003. 

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Although few district courts hear misdemeanor cases, there should be some savings for local governments in jury fees because of the reduction in the numbers of jurors.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JK, WK, VDS, TB