LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 10, 2007

TO:	Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on Civil Practices
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3164 by Talton (Relating to the use of testimony of certain expert witnesses as evidence in criminal and civil proceedings.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Civil Practices and Remedies Code relating to the use of expert witness testimony in judicial proceedings.  The bill would allow a judge the discretion to determine that scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge would assist the judge to understand evidence or to determine a fact in an issue.  The bill would prohibit the court of criminal appeals or the supreme court from adopting a rule in conflict with provisions of the bill.  To the extent the bill would change court procedures; no significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.  The bill would take effect September 1, 2007.

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, MN, ZS, TB, KJG