Honorable John T. Smithee, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4281 by Lambert (Relating to the 1st Multicounty County Court at Law.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code as it applies to the 1st Multicounty Court at Law. The bill would extend the court's concurrent jurisdiction with the district court to reach felony cases. The bill would require the judge of the court to appoint an official court reporter and permit the judge to appoint a court administrator, and would set parameters for the salary of the court reporter and court administrator. The bill would allow the judge of the court to receive reimbursement for travel and office expenses. The bill would permit the judge of the district courts in Fisher, Mitchell, and Nolan Counties and the judge of the 1st Multicounty Court at Law to exchange benches. The bill would repeal the changes made by the Eighty Fourth Legislature which repealed Mitchell County from the 1st Multicounty Court at Law and which designated Nolan County as the administrative county for the court.
The Office of Court Administration has indicated that staffing and operating costs of statutory county courts are paid by local governments, so there would be no significant fiscal impact to the state.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Association of Counties, Fisher County reported it would cost an estimated $25,000 per year to implement the provisions of the bill.
According to Nolan County, the bill would result in a significant, but indeterminate cost to the County.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council