LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 12, 2011

TO:	Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2945 by Coleman (Relating to the promotion of efficiencies in and the administration of certain county services and functions.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend portions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Election Code, and the Government Code relating to the administration of certain county services and functions.  The bill would allow for videoconferencing in various court proceedings and allows certain inmates to submit a misdemeanor guilty or nolo contendere plea in writing.  The bill would allow the clerk of a district court to collect up to $1 per page for an electronic certified copy of a record, judgment, order, pleading, or paper on file.  To the extent the bill would amend court procedures, no significant impact to judicial workloads or fiscal implication to 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

The bill would allow for the use of videoconferencing in various proceedings and allow the clerk of a district court to collect up to $1 per page for an electronic certified copy of a record, judgment, order, pleading, or paper on file.

Use of videoconferencing is a potential cost-saving measure for counties who would otherwise have to pay for transportation for officers and inmates. The $1 fee for an electronic certified copy of a record will generate revenue for the county. However, the fiscal impact of these provisions is not anticipated to be significant.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 696 Department of Criminal Justice

LBB Staff:

JOB, KKR, TB, AI