LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 17, 2015 TO: Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB455 by Creighton (Relating to the creation of a special three-judge district court.), As Introduced Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB455, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($59,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 17, 2015
TO: Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB455 by Creighton (Relating to the creation of a special three-judge district court.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB455 by Creighton (Relating to the creation of a special three-judge district court.), As Introduced
Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
SB455 by Creighton (Relating to the creation of a special three-judge district court.), As Introduced
SB455 by Creighton (Relating to the creation of a special three-judge district court.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB455, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($59,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB455, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($59,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds 2016 ($29,500) 2017 ($29,500) 2018 ($29,500) 2019 ($29,500) 2020 ($29,500)
2016 ($29,500)
2017 ($29,500)
2018 ($29,500)
2019 ($29,500)
2020 ($29,500)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 2016 ($29,500) 2017 ($29,500) 2018 ($29,500) 2019 ($29,500) 2020 ($29,500)
Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 2016 ($29,500) 2017 ($29,500) 2018 ($29,500) 2019 ($29,500) 2020 ($29,500)
2016 ($29,500)
2017 ($29,500)
2018 ($29,500)
2019 ($29,500)
2020 ($29,500)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code to permit the Attorney General to petition the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for the formation of a special three judge court to preside over lawsuits involving any claim challenging the finances and operations of the State's public school system and any claim involving the apportionment of districts for the Texas House, Senate, Congress, State Board of Education, or state judicial districts. This court shall consist of the district judge to whom the case was assigned at the time of the petition, a district judge chosen by the Chief Justice, and a justice of a court of appeals chosen by the Chief Justice. The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Methodology
Based on information provided by the Office of Court Administration, this analysis assumes that the three judge panel would hear one case each year which would require eight weeks of travel for the two selected judges not residing in the district where the case was originally filed. Based on estimated travel costs of $3,500 per week and an estimated $1,500 annually for incidental expenses of the court, it is assumed that total costs would be $29,500 each year.
Local Government Impact
Local governments would be required to provide facilities, courtroom, and administrative support in the county where the case was originally filed. According to the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to local governments is anticipated.
Source Agencies: 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General
LBB Staff: UP, AG, GDz, FR, MW, TBo, KVe
UP, AG, GDz, FR, MW, TBo, KVe