Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB353 by Fraser (Relating to the creation of an additional judicial district and the jurisdiction of the existing district courts in Bell County.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB353, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($248,513) through the biennium ending August 31, 2007.
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 a new judicial district in Bell County, the 426th Judicial District. The proposed district would be composed of Bell County only, but share jurisdiction with four other district courts. The court would be created on the effective date of this 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. The fiscal impact for the first year in which the court would exist has been prorated eleven months ($118,854). 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