LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 11, 2005

TO:
Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1601 by Madden (Relating to the use of interpreter services in a criminal case.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would authorize the swearing in and use of a qualified telephone interpreter to interpret for a non-English speaking person in the trial of a Class C misdemeanor or a proceeding before a magistrate when an interpreter is not available in person. The bill also would allow a judge discretion to mandate reimbursement costs of interpreter services to counties as one of the conditions of community supervision.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.


Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Counties may see some revenue from reimbursements for interpreter services from individuals placed on community supervision, but the rate of reimbursement would depend on the defendant's ability to pay.


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, KJG, DLBa