Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB458 by Armbrister (Relating to requiring a court cost impact statement on a bill or resolution that imposes a court cost on a person charged with a criminal offense.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB458, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($73,232) 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
($15,920)
2005
($57,312)
2006
$0
2007
($42,984)
2008
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGENERAL REVENUE FUND 1
2004
($15,920)
2005
($57,312)
2006
$0
2007
($42,984)
2008
$0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the state auditor to prepare a court cost impact statement on each bill or resolution that imposes or increases a court cost on a person charged with a criminal offense. The state auditor would be required to deliver a copy of the impact statement to the author of the bill or resolution and to each member of a legislative committee to which the bill or resolution is referred not later than the fifth day after the date of the bill or resolution is referred to the committee.
Methodology
The State Auditor's Office estimates that it would take 250 hours to create a database of applicable laws and fees during 2004 and would take 900 hours during 2005 to develop impact estimates for an expected 30 bills impacting court costs. Work during subsequent sessions would be approximately 75 percent of the 2005 costs due to efficiencies gained in the processes. Costs are based on the FY 2002 billing rate of $63.68 per hour.
Technology
No significant technology impact is expected.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.