Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB214 by Canales (Relating to a recording of certain proceedings of the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals and the publication of the recordings.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB214, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($346,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.
The Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals would be allowed, but not required to implement the provisions of the bill in the absence of a specific appropriation for that purpose.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2018
($298,000)
2019
($48,000)
2020
($48,000)
2021
($48,000)
2022
($48,000)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2018
($298,000)
2019
($48,000)
2020
($48,000)
2021
($48,000)
2022
($48,000)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code to require the recording of oral arguments and public meetings of the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals and the publication of the recording on the court's Internet website. The bill would require the two courts to implement the provisions of the bill if appropriated funds or donations are available in an amount necessary to cover the cost. However, the bill would also allow the two courts to implement the provisions of the bill using other available appropriations.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Methodology
The Supreme Court of Texas already provides video recordings of its proceedings that are made available on its website, therefore no fiscal impact is anticipated for that court. The Office of Court Administration estimates that the bill would require one-time equipment costs of approximately $250,000 to purchase and install necessary hardware in fiscal year 2018 with ongoing maintenance and operations costs of $48,000 each subsequent fiscal year. This includes $23,000 in software licensing costs and $25,000 for professional services each fiscal year.
Technology
Technology costs would include $250,000 for new equipment in fiscal year 2018 in addition to costs of $23,000 in software licensing and $25,000 for professional services each fiscal year.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council