Honorable John T. Smithee, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB409 by Huffines (Relating to the jurisdiction of county and justice courts in civil matters.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to increase the exclusive jurisdiction of justice courts in civil matters in certain specified cases from $10,000 to $20,000.
According to the Office of Court Administration, the bill would change which courts can preside over certain lawsuits; however, the bill does not create any new causes of action or impose any new obligations on the courts. No significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
According to the Office of Court Administration, the bill would expand the civil jurisdiction of constitutional county courts and justice courts but not create any new causes of action or impose any new obligations on the courts. While the potential increased workload would impact individual counties differently, it is anticipated that the increased workload can be handled with existing resources. No significant fiscal impact to local courts is anticipated.
According to the Justice of the Peace for Williamson County (Pct. 3), the bill would lead to an increase in workload with no increase in court costs resulting in a significant fiscal 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