79R9417 RJA-F

By:  Turner                                                       H.B. No. 2436



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to statutory authority to reduce certain appropriations 
made by the legislature in support of the courts and to certain law 
library fees.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  (a)  Notwithstanding any statute to the 
contrary, the legislature, in its discretion, may determine the 
amount of each appropriation of state funds.  The amounts or 
entitlements required by statute for individuals or entities that 
receive state funds under Article IV of the General Appropriations 
Act, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, may be reduced or 
eliminated in order to achieve a balanced budget.
	(b)  This section expires September 1, 2007.                                   
	SECTION 2.  An active, former, or retired visiting judge or 
justice is not entitled to an amount from the state for expenses, 
per diem, travel, or salary that exceeds the amount authorized for 
those purposes by the General Appropriations Act.
	SECTION 3.  A local administrative district judge is not 
entitled to a salary from the state under Section 659.0125, 
Government Code, that exceeds the amount authorized for that salary 
by the General Appropriations Act.
	SECTION 4.  An active district judge is not entitled to 
travel expenses under Section 24.019, Government Code, in an amount 
that exceeds the amount authorized for those expenses by the 
General Appropriations Act.
	SECTION 5.  A judge, justice, or prosecuting attorney  is not 
entitled to an amount from the state for a salary, a salary 
supplement, office expenses or reimbursement of office expenses, or 
travel that exceeds the amount authorized for those purposes by the 
General Appropriations Act.
	SECTION 6.  (a)  A county is not entitled to receive from the 
state supplemental salary compensation for county prosecutors 
under Section 46.0031, Government Code, or longevity pay 
supplements reimbursement under Section 41.255, Government Code, 
or any other supplements for prosecutors, in an amount that exceeds 
the amount appropriated for those purposes by the General 
Appropriations Act.
	(b)  A county is not entitled to state contributions for 
salaries or supplements under Chapter 25 or 26, Government Code, in 
an amount that exceeds the amounts appropriated for those purposes 
in the General Appropriations Act.
	(c)  A county is not entitled to reimbursement under Article 
11.071, Code of Criminal Procedure, for reimbursement for 
compensation of counsel under that article in an amount that 
exceeds the amount appropriated for that purpose in the General 
Appropriations Act.
	SECTION 7.  A person reimbursed by the state for travel and 
expenses for attendance as a witness as provided by Article 35.27, 
Code of Criminal Procedure, is not entitled to an amount that 
exceeds the amount appropriated for that purpose by the General 
Appropriations Act.
	SECTION 8.  Section 91.011, Government Code, is amended to 
read as follows:  
	Sec. 91.011.  LIBRARY SERVICE FEES.  [(a)]  The director of 
the state law library may set and charge a fee for services provided 
by state law library staff.
	[(b)  A fee set under Subsection (a) does not apply to a 
public agency requiring services from the state law library staff.]
	SECTION 9.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.