Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4125 by Israel (Relating to the creation of tenant legal services offices by counties to represent indigent residential tenants in eviction cases.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Local Government Code to require commissioners courts to create tenant legal services offices and details certain operational requirements for these offices.
Local Government Impact
According to Travis County, the bill would have no significant fiscal impact if the county works with non-profit organizations and external entities to provide legal services to indigent tenants facing eviction.
According to Cameron County, the bill would have a significant fiscal impact. The county estimates that it could incur additional expenses of as much as $355,000 annually and to add six FTEs.
According to the Harris County Public Defender's Office, the bill would cost the county an additional $5.0 million per fiscal year to represent indigent tenants in eviction cases.