LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 17, 2011

TO:	Honorable Jim Jackson, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2635 by Kolkhorst (Relating to the composition of the First, Tenth, and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals Districts.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code relating to the composition of the First, Tenth, and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals Districts. The bill would remove Walker County from the Tenth Court of Appeals District and place the county into the combined jurisdiction of the First and Fourteenth Court of Appeals Districts. In fiscal year 2010, 28 civil cases and 9 criminal cases were filed with the Tenth Court of Appeals District coming from Walker County. No significant fiscal impact to the state’s court system is anticipated.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.

Local Government Impact

According to the Office of Court Administration, if Walker County is placed into the combined Houston district it is estimated that Walker County would be assessed an amount of approximately $13,000 per year from Harris County, to fund Walker County’s proportionate share of operational costs for the First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals Districts. The cost to Walker County would be partially offset by Walker County’s current assessment for operations of the Tenth Court of Appeals Districts. Accordingly, no significant fiscal impact is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JOB, JT, JP