LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 18, 2005

TO:	Honorable Will Hartnett, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2977 by Gonzales (Relating to the creation of an alternative system for direct filing of charges against persons who have been arrested.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill relates to the creation of an alternative system for direct filing of charges against arrested persons and would provide that criminal law hearing officers may serve as magistrates for processing arrested persons.  The bill would require the Office of Court Administration (OCA) to develop and adopt rules to administer a direct filing system no later than January 1, 2006.  OCA indicates that developing standards to protect offender rights and assure timely arraignments and other necessary arrangements could be absorbed within the regular scope of OCA’s duties; accordingly, this estimate does not assume a significant fiscal implication to the State.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JOB, LB, ZS, TB, KJG