LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 26, 2013

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB570 by Alonzo (Relating to issuance of a magistrate's order for emergency protection.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Articles 17.292(d) and (j), Code of Criminal Procedure, to allow an order for emergency protection issued under this article to be served on the defendant in person or electronically. Currently, the statute specifies that the order shall be served on the defendant in open court.  The proposed amendments also include a provision whereby the victim of the offense does not have to be present when the order for emergency protection is issued.

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, 2013.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

UP, ESi, SD, KKR