LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 9, 2003

TO:
Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB134 by Estes (Relating to the creation of an additional judicial district in Parker County.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB134, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($258,730) through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004 ($129,365)
2005 ($129,365)
2006 ($129,365)
2007 ($129,365)
2008 ($129,365)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2003
2004 ($129,365) 1.0
2005 ($129,365) 1.0
2006 ($129,365) 1.0
2007 ($129,365) 1.0
2008 ($129,365) 1.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend Government Code, Chapter 24 to create a new judicial district, the 413th Judicial District, composed of Parker County. The bill would make other changes to the Government Code and the Human Resources Code related to the creation of an additional district court in Parker County.  The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.


Methodology

The salary of a district court judge is currently $101,700 annually. Associated benefits for the position are estimated to be $27,665 annually. Together salary and benefits for the district judge of the proposed court would be $129,365 in fiscal year 2004 and each year thereafter. All other costs are paid by the county.


Local Government Impact

The Parker County Auditor provided an estimate of local costs, which would include salaries and benefits for ancillary court personnel and other operating expenses. The total cost to Parker County for FY 2004 is estimated at $338,454.  In FY 2005, the estimated cost would be $338,309. In FY 2006, the estimated cost would be $348,458. In FY 2007, the estimated cost would be $358,912. In FY 2008, the estimated cost would be $604,123.  The Parker County Auditor indicates that projected caseload increases will require additional court personnel in FY 2008. The bill would also allow the commissioners court of Parker County to pay the judge of the newly created district court an annual salary supplement not to exceed $7,800.



Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:
JK, GO, VDS, TB, KG, DLBa