Honorable Jim Jackson, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2101 by Hernandez Luna (Relating to sealing of court records containing identifying financial information or personal identifying information.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to mandate a court seal all identifying financial information for any movant, upon the motion of the person, party or victim. The bill would allow a court to decline to grant the motion only upon a finding of good cause not to seal the information. Absent an objection by another party, there is no requirement for the court to hold a hearing on the motion, leaving the entry of the order to be ministerial in nature. Consequently, no significant fiscal impact on the court system or the state is anticipated. The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives two-thirds the vote of all members in both houses. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2011.
Local Government Impact
According to the Office of Court Administration, bill provisions may have a minimal fiscal impact due to changes that may be needed in court clerk's procedures related to disclosure of court records to the public. However, this amount is not anticipated to be significant.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council