Honorable John T. Smithee, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HJR11 by Smithee (Proposing a constitutional amendment changing the eligibility requirements for appellate judicial offices.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated, other than the cost of publication.
The cost to the state for publication of the resolution is $114,369.
The resolution would amend the Constitution to revise eligibility requirements to serve as Chief Justice or Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Presiding Judge or Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, or Chief Justice or Justice of a Court of Appeals from 10 years of experience as either a lawyer, judge of a court, or both, to 10 consecutive years of experience as either a lawyer, judge of a court, or both, and would require the person be licensed to practice law in Texas during the 10-year period during which the license was not revoked, suspended, or subject to probated suspension.
This resolution would be submitted to voters at an election to be held on November 7, 2017. If the resolution passes then the constitutional amendment would take effect on January 1, 2018. The cost to the state for publication of the resolution is $114,369 in fiscal year 2018.
Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the resolution could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council