Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB455 by Creighton (Relating to the creation of a special three-judge district court.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB455, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($59,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2016
($29,500)
2017
($29,500)
2018
($29,500)
2019
($29,500)
2020
($29,500)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2016
($29,500)
2017
($29,500)
2018
($29,500)
2019
($29,500)
2020
($29,500)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code to permit the Attorney General to petition the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for the formation of a special three judge court to preside over lawsuits involving any claim challenging the finances and operations of the State's public school system and any claim involving the apportionment of districts for the Texas House, Senate, Congress, State Board of Education, or state judicial districts. This court shall consist of the district judge to whom the case was assigned at the time of the petition, a district judge chosen by the Chief Justice, and a justice of a court of appeals chosen by the Chief Justice.
The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Methodology
Based on information provided by the Office of Court Administration, this analysis assumes that the three judge panel would hear one case each year which would require eight weeks of travel for the two selected judges not residing in the district where the case was originally filed. Based on estimated travel costs of $3,500 per week and an estimated $1,500 annually for incidental expenses of the court, it is assumed that total costs would be $29,500 each year.
Local Government Impact
Local governments would be required to provide facilities, courtroom, and administrative support in the county where the case was originally filed. According to the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to local governments is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General