LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 29, 2005

TO:
Honorable Will Hartnett, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2474 by Delisi (Relating to the creation of an additional judicial district and the jurisdiction of the existing district courts in Bell County.), As Introduced



The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2006 ($118,854)
2007 ($129,659)
2008 ($129,659)
2009 ($129,659)
2010 ($129,659)




Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2005
2006 ($118,854) 1.0
2007 ($129,659) 1.0
2008 ($129,659) 1.0
2009 ($129,659) 1.0
2010 ($129,659) 1.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend Chapter 24, Government Code to create an additional judicial district in Bell County, the 426th Judicial District.  The court would be created on the effective date of the bill, September 1, 2005.

Methodology

The annual salary provided by the state for a district judge is $101,700, plus benefits estimated at $27,959 annually.  Because the court would be created on September 1, 2005 the fiscal impact for the first year in which the court would exist has been prorated 11 months.  Thereafter, the estimated annual salary and benefits for the district judge of the proposed court would be $129,659.  The county would pay all other costs.

Local Government Impact

The Bell County Auditor provided an estimate of local costs, which would include: salaries, benefits, and payroll taxes for ancillary court personnel; a supplement of $9,300 plus payroll taxes and benefits to each district judge’s salary; a bailiff uniform allowance of $500; and annual operating costs estimated at $67,586.
 
The total cost to Bell County for fiscal year 2005 is estimated at $15,808. (The state’s fiscal year begins September 1; Bell County’s fiscal year begins October 1.) In fiscal year 2006 and thereafter, the cost is estimated at $183,961.


Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:
JOB, LB, ZS, ER, KJG