Honorable Joe Moody, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3637 by Ortega (Relating to recording certain criminal proceedings.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure as it pertains to the use of videoconferencing and recordings of those proceedings in criminal proceedings. The bill would update technical language, would allow a magistrate to inform an arrested person of his or her rights by videoconference, and would allow a plea or waiver to be made by videoconference. The bill would allow a person to obtain a copy of the electronic recording of a videoconference by paying the costs of reproduction. Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished with existing resources.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Association of Counties, the fiscal impact to counties to implement the provisions of the bill is not anticipated to be significant.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 405 Department of Public Safety