Honorable John T. Smithee, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HJR117 by Smithee (Proposing a constitutional amendment changing the terms of office of certain 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 extend the term of office to serve as a Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, a Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, or a Justice of a Court of Appeals from six to eight years and would stagger these terms. The resolution would extend the term of office held by a district judge from four to six years and would require a vacancy in a district court judge position to be filled by the Governor until the next succeeding general election at which time the voters would fill the vacancy for a full term. The resolution would create temporary provisions by which certain justices and judges would be elected to a single shorter term to ensure staggered terms of office on each court.
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