LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 21, 2009

TO:	Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor, Senate
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB408 by Carona (Relating to the jurisdiction of and appeals from certain courts.), As Passed 2nd House

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code relating to the jurisdiction of and appeals from certain courts. The bill would allow a person to appeal the final judgement of a county or statutory county court to a court of appeals. The bill also would amend the Government Code to clarify the defenition of decision in the context of public assistance benefits. The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code concerning appeals of court decisions that work to divest ownership of animals. The bill would also amend the Government Code to authorize a court to appoint a pro bono attorney to represent certain parties in appeals of evicition suits.

To the extent the bill would add new case filings to the dockets of the courts of appeals, no significant change to the workload of the court system is anticipated.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

529 Health and Human Services Commission, 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JOB, TP, JP, MN