Honorable Todd Hunter, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3919 by Pena (Relating to a qualified privilege of a journalist not to testify in an administrative, executive, legislative, or civil judicial proceeding.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code relating to a qualified privilege of a journalist not to testify in an administrative, executive, legislative, or civil judicial proceeding. The bill would provide that a journalist generally may not be compelled to make certain disclosures in official proceedings. The bill would establish a procedure by which a journalist can be compelled to disclose information. To the extent the bill would amend court procedures regarding privileges of journalists, the amendments are not anticipated to significantly increase judicial workloads or result in a significant fiscal implication to the State. The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council