Honorable Nicole Collier, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3505 by White (Relating to authorizing a court to require defendants confined in a penal institution to appear by videoconference in criminal cases.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to provide that a court may require a defendant, without the defendant's consent, to appear for any proceeding related to the prosecution of a criminal offense by videoconferencing in the manner described by Article 27.18 if the defendant is confined in a penal institution at the time of the proceeding.
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
While the bill may result in some savings to courts related to the transfer of inmates back to a courtroom, no significant fiscal impact to local government is anticipated.