Honorable Nicole Collier, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3500 by González, Jessica (Relating to the representation of certain indigent applicants for a writ of habeas corpus.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require a court to appoint an attorney to represent an eligible indigent defendant to investigate a claim and file a writ of habeas corpus any time the state represents that the defendant has a meritorious claim of relief from a felony or misdemeanor conviction. Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished using existing resources.
The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, or September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
Travis County and Harris County do not anticipate a significant fiscal impact to the counties.
Erath County does not anticipate a fiscal impact to the County.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council