Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3927 by Kuempel (Relating to the creation of the constable technology fund; authorizing a fee.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to create a new court cost known as the constable technology fee to be paid upon conviction of an offense in a justice court. All revenue from this fee would be retained by the county to be used for education expenses for constables and their staff on technological enhancements for the office and the purchase and maintenance of technological enhancements for the office such as computer systems and computer networks. Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration and the Comptroller of Public Accounts, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
The bill would have a positive fiscal impact to counties. According to the Office of Court Administration, there were 1,034,132 convictions in justice courts in fiscal year 2014. Assuming a 65% collection rate, the $4 constable technology fee would generate $2,688,743 in additional revenue to counties annually.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts