LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 26, 2009

TO:	Honorable Todd Hunter, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4685 by Homer (Relating to the County Court of Titus County.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code relating to the County Court of Titus County. The bill addresses the jurisdiction of the County Court of Titus County and also permits the county judge and a judge of a district court in the county to enter a written agreement granting the county court jurisdiction to hear certain types of cases under certain types of circumstances. The types of cases that could be heard under the agreement include guilty pleas in felony cases and uncontested civil and family law cases in which a final judgement would be entered. To the extent the bill would allow the county court to enter agreements with district courts within the county, the rules change is not anticipated to have a significant impact on the court system.

The bill would take effect immediately if it receives two-thirds votes in each house, otherwise 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, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts

LBB Staff:

JOB, MN, JP, TP