LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 23, 2007

TO:	Honorable Will Hartnett, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2766 by Eiland (Relating to the location at which certain courts may conduct proceedings following certain disasters.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code to authorize the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region to designate an alternate location in the district at which a district court may conduct its proceedings if the district court in a "first tier" or "second tier" coastal county is unable to conduct its proceedings in a county seat due to a natural or other major disaster. The presiding judge of the administrative judicial region may also make a designation for a statutory county court, a county court, or a statutory probate court, located in a first tier or second tier coastal county in the same circumstance to conduct proceedings elsewhere.

The bill would take effect immediately if it were to receive the required two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2007.

Local Government Impact

The fiscal impact to the affected courts would vary depending on how many proceedings and accompanying records must be moved and any associated expenses; however, it is anticipated the costs would be less than if all proceedings were delayed. There may also be expenses to the courts in which the displaced courts must share courtrooms.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JOB, MN, DB