Honorable John T. Smithee, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB234 by Farrar (Relating to the costs associated with proceedings regarding cruelly treated animals; authorizing fees and costs.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to specify that upon certain findings of animal cruelty, a court may order the owner to pay county or municipality attorney's fees and court costs relating to the prosecution.
According to the Comptroller of Public Accounts, there would be no revenue implications and no fiscal impact on the state or on the state's cash flow.
Local Government Impact
There would be a savings to counties and municipalities that would vary depending on the number of applicable cases in which the animal's owner is required to pay; however, the fiscal impact is not anticipated to be significant.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts