Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB504 by West, Royce (Relating to the filing of certain information by arbitrators after each arbitration.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require arbitrators, within 90 days of an arbitration award being signed, to file an arbitration disclosure with the Office of Court Administration (OCA). Additionally, any agreement of the parties to limit disclosure must be evidenced by a form signed by the parties that is to be filed with OCA. OCA must establish procedures and a fee for the late filing of an arbitration award, must compile a semi-annual list of arbitrators who are ineligible to arbitrate because of failure to timely file awards, and must establish procedures for removing an arbitrator from the ineligible list. OCA reports these measures could be established utilizing the agency's current resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council