| TO: | Honorable Will Hartnett, Chair, House Committee on Judicial Affairs |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1552 by Duncan (Relating to the creation and composition of certain county courts at law.), As Engrossed |
| Fiscal Year | Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds |
|---|---|
| 2004 | ($10,000) |
| 2005 | ($13,333) |
| 2006 | ($15,000) |
| 2007 | ($15,000) |
| 2008 | ($18,750) |
| Fiscal Year | Probable Savings/(Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | ($10,000) |
| 2005 | ($13,333) |
| 2006 | ($15,000) |
| 2007 | ($15,000) |
| 2008 | ($18,750) |
The bill would amend Government Code, Chapter 25 to create an additional county court at law in Collin County. Under the bill, the County Court at Law No. 6 of Collin County would be created on January 1, 2005.
The bill would amend Government Code, Chapter 25 to create an additional county court at law in Comal County. Under the bill, the County Court at Law No. 2 of Comal County would be created on September 1, 2003.
The bill would amend Government Code, Chapter 25 to create an additional county court at law in Henderson County. Under the bill, the County Court at Law No. 2 of Henderson County would be created December 1, 2007 or on an earlier date determined by the commissioner's court.
The bill would amend Government Code, Chapter 25 to create an additional county court at law in Parker County and would establish certain provisions for Parker County Courts at Law. Under the bill, the County Court at Law No. 2 of Parker County would be created on September 1, 2003.
The bill would amend Government Code, Chapter 25 to create a new county court at law in Rockwall County and would establish certain provisions for the newly created court. Under the bill, the County Court at Law of Rockwall County would be created on September 1, 2003.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.
Since Collin, Comal, Henderson, and Parker counties have passed a resolution to collect court costs and fees under Government Code, Section 51.702, the state would incur an annual cost of $5,000 in the form of a salary supplement for the judges of the new county courts at law, once those courts are established. Since the County Court at Law No. 6 of Collin County would be created on January 1, 2005, the impact for fiscal year 2005 has been prorated for eight months instead of 12. This estimate assumes the Henderson County Court at Law is established on December 1, 2007 and the salary supplement has been prorated for 9 months in fiscal year 2008.
The auditors in Collin, Comal, Henderson, Parker and Rockwall counties provided estimates of local costs, which would include salaries and benefits for ancillary court personnel and other operating expenses. Costs to the affected counties are as follows:
| FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 | FY 2007 | FY 2008 | |
| Collin | $0 | $455,241 | $586,694 | $586,694 | $586,694 |
| Comal | $337,727 | $286,920 | $295,522 | $304,555 | $314,039 |
| Henderson | $104,740 | $174,875 | $248,375 | $264,447 | $282,151 |
| Parker | $222,996 | $215,946 | $215,946 | $215,946 | $215,946 |
| Rockwall | $425,000 | $425,000 | $425,000 | $425,000 | $425,000 |
| Source Agencies: | 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
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| LBB Staff: | JK, GO, VDS, TB, KG
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