LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 16, 2009 TO: Honorable Todd Hunter, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB4709 by Flynn (Relating to the creation of a county court at law in Van Zandt County and to the composition of the Van Zandt County Juvenile Board.), As Introduced Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB4709, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2011. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 16, 2009 TO: Honorable Todd Hunter, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB4709 by Flynn (Relating to the creation of a county court at law in Van Zandt County and to the composition of the Van Zandt County Juvenile Board.), As Introduced TO: Honorable Todd Hunter, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB4709 by Flynn (Relating to the creation of a county court at law in Van Zandt County and to the composition of the Van Zandt County Juvenile Board.), As Introduced Honorable Todd Hunter, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Honorable Todd Hunter, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board HB4709 by Flynn (Relating to the creation of a county court at law in Van Zandt County and to the composition of the Van Zandt County Juvenile Board.), As Introduced HB4709 by Flynn (Relating to the creation of a county court at law in Van Zandt County and to the composition of the Van Zandt County Juvenile Board.), As Introduced Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB4709, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2011. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB4709, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2011. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds 2010 $0 2011 $0 2012 $0 2013 $0 2014 $0 2010 $0 2011 $0 2012 $0 2013 $0 2014 $0 All Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromJudicial Fund573 Probable Revenue Gain fromJudicial Fund573 2010 $0 $0 2011 ($75,000) $75,000 2012 ($75,000) $75,000 2013 ($75,000) $75,000 2014 ($75,000) $75,000 Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromJudicial Fund573 Probable Revenue Gain fromJudicial Fund573 2010 $0 $0 2011 ($75,000) $75,000 2012 ($75,000) $75,000 2013 ($75,000) $75,000 2014 ($75,000) $75,000 2010 $0 $0 2011 ($75,000) $75,000 2012 ($75,000) $75,000 2013 ($75,000) $75,000 2014 ($75,000) $75,000 Fiscal Analysis The bill would amend the Government Code to create a new County Court at Law in Van Zandt County. The court would be created September 1, 2010. The bill would also amend the Human Resource Code to add the County Court at Law judge to the juvenile board of Van Zandt County. The bill would take effect September 1, 2010. The bill would amend the Government Code to create a new County Court at Law in Van Zandt County. The court would be created September 1, 2010. Methodology The annual recurring cost to the state would be $75,000 from Judicial Fund No. 573. Under current law, the state provides a county-court-at-law judge a salary supplement an amount equal to 60 percent of the state salary of a district judge ($75,000). Also, the salary supplement program for county court at law judges is funded from fees and court costs collected by county courts at law statewide and deposited into the Judicial Fund No. 573. This estimate assumes that the County Court at Law in Van Zandt County would generate sufficient revenue to Judicial Fund No. 573 to cover the cost of the salary supplement. Local governments pay the other operating costs associated with a county court at law. The annual recurring cost to the state would be $75,000 from Judicial Fund No. 573. Under current law, the state provides a county-court-at-law judge a salary supplement an amount equal to 60 percent of the state salary of a district judge ($75,000). Also, the salary supplement program for county court at law judges is funded from fees and court costs collected by county courts at law statewide and deposited into the Judicial Fund No. 573. This estimate assumes that the County Court at Law in Van Zandt County would generate sufficient revenue to Judicial Fund No. 573 to cover the cost of the salary supplement. Local Government Impact Van Zandt County currently does not have a County Court at Law. Van Zandt Countys fiscal year begins October 1. The Van Zandt County Auditor's Office estimated $127,450 in start-up costs consisting of office space, furnishings, equipment and technology. Estimated salary and benefits of $262,442 and $162,796 in operational expenses totaling $426,739. The County expects costs to increase annually by 3 percent. The estimated cost for fiscal 2011 is $439,496; fiscal 2012 is $452,636; fiscal 2013 is $466,170 and fiscal 2014 is $480,110. The creation of the County Court at Law would create the following positions: court reporter, bailiff, court clerk deputy, and a court coordinator. The estimated revenues for fiscal 2011 are $105,063, fiscal 2012 of $107,689, fiscal 2013 of $110,381, and fiscal 2014 of $113,141. Van Zandt County currently does not have a County Court at Law. Van Zandt Countys fiscal year begins October 1. The Van Zandt County Auditor's Office estimated $127,450 in start-up costs consisting of office space, furnishings, equipment and technology. Estimated salary and benefits of $262,442 and $162,796 in operational expenses totaling $426,739. The County expects costs to increase annually by 3 percent. The estimated cost for fiscal 2011 is $439,496; fiscal 2012 is $452,636; fiscal 2013 is $466,170 and fiscal 2014 is $480,110. The creation of the County Court at Law would create the following positions: court reporter, bailiff, court clerk deputy, and a court coordinator. The estimated revenues for fiscal 2011 are $105,063, fiscal 2012 of $107,689, fiscal 2013 of $110,381, and fiscal 2014 of $113,141. Source Agencies: 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: JOB, MN, JP JOB, MN, JP