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

TO:
Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1778 by King, Phil (Relating to the electronic creation, transmission, and use of certain documents related to the prosecution of a criminal offense.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would authorize as conforming with requirements of law and as admissable, indictments, information, complaints, or other charging instruments or related documents for the prosecution of a criminal offense in electronic form received by a court, a judge, or the court clerk. The bill would also authorize a district clerk, county clerk, or court to issue in electronic form a capias for the failure of a person to appear before a court, pay a fine, or comply with a court order. The bill would repeal statutes related to use of a telegraph for transmitting criminal procedure documents, as the proposed additions to statute would cover use of the telegraph as part of electronic transmission. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives the required two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2005.


Local Government Impact

If a court chooses to transmit applicable documents electronically and already has the electronic means in place, the court would experience a savings related to administrative activities.

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



Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, KJG, DLBa