LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 30, 2009

TO:	Honorable Pete Gallego, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB167 by Naishtat (Relating to an oral statement regarding the impact of an offense in certain cases involving a violent crime.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure relating to an oral statement regarding the impact of an offense in certain cases involving a violent crime.  The bill would authorize a victim, close relative of a deceased victim, or guardian of a victim to appear in person to present to the court an oral statement about the offense and the effect of the offense on the victim before the imposition of a sentence by the court.  To the extent the bill would amend court procedures, no increase in judicial workloads or fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.  The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.

Local Government Impact

Under the bill local court trial costs could increase as a result of allowing a victim or a representative of a victim to present an oral statement which could lengthen a trial, but these costs are not anticipated to be significant.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JOB, ESi, TB, TP