LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 17, 2021

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB275 by Moody (Relating to an application for a writ of habeas corpus based on certain relevant scientific evidence that was not available at the applicant's trial.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedures to allow a court to grant a convicted person relief on an application for a writ of habeas corpus if the court finds that relevant scientific evidence not available at the time of the convicted person's trial would have resulted in a different punishment.

According to the Office of Court Administration, while the number of additional writs that would be filed cannot be determined, the total is not anticipated to be significant and no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated.

This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on state correctional populations or on the demand for state correctional resources. 

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Admin

LBB Staff:

JMc, DKN, BH, SLE, MW