LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION May 7, 2009 TO: Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB2469 by Hinojosa (Relating to the creation of two additional county courts at law in Hidalgo County.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2469, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: 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
May 7, 2009
TO: Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB2469 by Hinojosa (Relating to the creation of two additional county courts at law in Hidalgo County.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
TO: Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB2469 by Hinojosa (Relating to the creation of two additional county courts at law in Hidalgo County.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
SB2469 by Hinojosa (Relating to the creation of two additional county courts at law in Hidalgo County.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
SB2469 by Hinojosa (Relating to the creation of two additional county courts at law in Hidalgo County.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2469, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: 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 SB2469, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: 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 $0 $0 2012 ($75,000) $75,000 2013 ($150,000) $150,000 2014 ($150,000) $150,000
Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromJudicial Fund573 Probable Revenue Gain fromJudicial Fund573 2010 $0 $0 2011 $0 $0 2012 ($75,000) $75,000 2013 ($150,000) $150,000 2014 ($150,000) $150,000
2010 $0 $0
2011 $0 $0
2012 ($75,000) $75,000
2013 ($150,000) $150,000
2014 ($150,000) $150,000
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code to create two new County Courts at Law in Hidalgo County. County Courts at Law No. 7 and No. 8. The bill specifies that County Court at Law No. 7 of Hidalgo County would be created September 1, 2011, and County Court at Law No. 8 of Hidalgo County would be created September 1, 2012. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.
The bill would amend the Government Code to create two new County Courts at Law in Hidalgo County. County Courts at Law No. 7 and No. 8. The bill specifies that County Court at Law No. 7 of Hidalgo County would be created September 1, 2011, and County Court at Law No. 8 of Hidalgo County would be created September 1, 2012. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.
Methodology
The annual recurring cost to the state per county court at law 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 Courts at Law in Hidalgo 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 per county court at law 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 Courts at Law in Hidalgo 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.
Local Government Impact
Hidalgo County is currently served by six county courts at law. There would be no costs to the county for fiscal 2009-2011. The average annual total operating costs for the two courts are estimated at $1,041,373 for fiscal 2012-2014. Fiscal year 2011 would be half of that amount. First year, start-up costs for technology are estimated at $18,953. Hidalgo County would be responsible for paying salary and benefits for court personnel. According to the County, it would need two judges, two court reporters, two court coordinators, two bailiffs, and two court administrators. According to Hidalgo County, the average cost of personnel total for two courts is estimated at $975,525. Hidalgo County's fiscal year begins January 1.
Hidalgo County is currently served by six county courts at law. There would be no costs to the county for fiscal 2009-2011. The average annual total operating costs for the two courts are estimated at $1,041,373 for fiscal 2012-2014. Fiscal year 2011 would be half of that amount. First year, start-up costs for technology are estimated at $18,953.
Hidalgo County would be responsible for paying salary and benefits for court personnel. According to the County, it would need two judges, two court reporters, two court coordinators, two bailiffs, and two court administrators. According to Hidalgo County, the average cost of personnel total for two courts is estimated at $975,525.
Hidalgo County's fiscal year begins January 1.
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, JP, TP, MN
JOB, JP, TP, MN