Honorable John T. Smithee, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1487 by Smithee (Relating to the security of courts and judges in the state.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1487, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($242,144) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2018
($121,801)
2019
($120,343)
2020
($120,343)
2021
($120,343)
2022
($120,343)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2017
2018
($121,801)
1.0
2019
($120,343)
1.0
2020
($120,343)
1.0
2021
($120,343)
1.0
2022
($120,343)
1.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code to require the local administrative district judge, presiding judge in a municipal court of record, and municipal judge in a municipal court not of record to establish a court security committee, provide for the committee's membership, and require the committee to establish policies and procedures necessary to provide adequate security to the courts.
The bill would amend the Government Code to require the Office of Court Administration to establish a judicial security division to provide guidance to state court personnel on improving security for each court. The division is required to serve as a central resource for information on court security best practices, to provide expert opinions on the technical aspects of court security, and to provide training on court security improvements.
The bill would amend the Government Code to direct the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, in consultation with the Office of Court Administration, to develop a model court security training curriculum and to issue a certificate to each court security officer that completes the training. The bill would direct the Department of Public Safety to provide personal security to a state judge who has been threatened or attacked, including locations outside of that judge's jurisdiction at the agency's discretion.
Methodology
This estimate assumes costs necessary for the establishment of a judicial security division within the Office of Court Administration which would include personnel and other personnel-related costs for one Director position of $108,496 each year. Additional costs include technology and travel of $13,305 in fiscal year 2018 and $12,247 in subsequent years.
According to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and Department of Public Safety, provisions of the bill for these agencies could be met through existing resources.
Technology
This estimate assumes technology costs would include a cell phone and a laptop with associated software and aircard. Costs would include $3,525 in fiscal year 2018 and $2,067 in each subsequent year.
Local Government Impact
According to the Office of Court Administration, local governments may incur costs associated with making security-related improvements to courthouses and security protocols with varying costs among jurisdictions.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 356 Texas Ethics Commission, 405 Department of Public Safety, 407 Commission on Law Enforcement