LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 17, 2005

TO:	Honorable Jerry Madden, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB488 by Guillen (Relating to providing notice of the release or escape of a defendant to certain crime victims and witnesses in criminal trials.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to notify certain testifying witnesses of the release or escape of defendants. The bill would require prosecuting attorneys to provide written notification to victims or testifying witnesses of their right to receive notice of the defendant's release or escape. TDCJ would be required to create and maintain a computerized database containing defendant release information and to allow specified witnesses or victims access to the database. TDCJ anticipates an initial cost to establish the database.  However, for purposes of this analysis, the cost to TDCJ would not be significant.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

696 Department of Criminal Justice

LBB Staff:

JOB, VDS, AM, KJG