LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 23, 2003

TO:	Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB727 by Staples (Relating to the payment of fees awarded to certain attorneys appointed by a court to represent indigent inmates in capital cases.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure relating to the payment of fees awarded to certain attorneys appointed by a court to represent indigent inmates in capital cases. The bill would require the Comptroller in the Comptroller's miscellaneous claims bill to compensate counsel up to $50,000 in death penalty cases when the defendant is an inmate. The current compensation for such cases is capped at $25,000. To the extent the Comptroller may pay counsel in certain death penalty cases increased compensation from the appropriation for miscellaneous claims, the fiscal implication of increased payments is not anticipated to be significant.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JK, SD, TB