Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2446 by Canales (Relating to the reimbursement of expenses to certain counsel appointed to represent a defendant in a criminal proceeding.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require an attorney appointed to represent a defendant to be paid for travel or any costs to remotely conduct a confidential interview with the attorney's client, if the defendant is being held in a correctional facility more than 50 miles from the court in which the case is pending.
Based on information provided by the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated as a result from implementing the provisions of the bill.
Local Government Impact
According to Taylor County, the requirement to reimburse appointed counsel for travel costs would have no significant fiscal impact on the county. Taylor County anticipates that the bill's provisions related to reimbursement for providing counsel on a remote basis could affect the appointed counsel rate and have a fiscal impact on the county.