LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 5, 2007

TO:	Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SJR22 by Hegar (Proposing a constitutional amendment to allow a visiting judge of a district court to hold proceedings at the county seat of a county other than the county in which a case is pending.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated, other than the cost of publication.

The cost to the state for publication of the resolution is $77,468.

The resolution would require that a proposed constitutional amendment be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2007 that would authorize a visiting judge for a district court to conduct proceedings at the county seat of a county other than the county in which a case is pending when all parties to the pending case have signed a written agreement and the district judge for the district approves.

Local Government Impact

Passage of the resolution in and of itself would not have a direct fiscal impact on units of local government. If the joint resolution were to pass and be approved by the voters and the enacting legislation (Senate Bill 549, Eightieth Legislature, Regular Session, 2007) that would amend the government code relating to where the visiting judge holds proceedings were also to pass, a court may experience some additional expenses in rearranging dockets and records. However, no significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, MN, JB, DB