LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION February 26, 2017 TO: Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB40 by Zaffirini (Relating to the bond required and the bond insurance obtained for certain judges.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Government Code to increase the bond amount for bond and bond insurance obtained by a constitutional or county court judge presiding over a guardianship proceeding to not less than $100,000 for a court in a county with a population of 125,000 or less; or $250,000 for a court in a county with a population of 125,000 or more. In lieu of the bond, a county may elect to obtain insurance against losses caused by the county judge's gross negligence in performing the duties of office. The bill would require the commissioner's court of a county to pay the premium for the insurance out of the county's general funds. Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources. Local Government Impact According to the Texas Association of Counties, Travis County and Denton County reported the fiscal impact would not be significant. Source Agencies:212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council LBB Staff: UP, AG, MW, GDz, JGA LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION February 26, 2017 TO: Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB40 by Zaffirini (Relating to the bond required and the bond insurance obtained for certain judges.), As Introduced TO: Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB40 by Zaffirini (Relating to the bond required and the bond insurance obtained for certain judges.), 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 SB40 by Zaffirini (Relating to the bond required and the bond insurance obtained for certain judges.), As Introduced SB40 by Zaffirini (Relating to the bond required and the bond insurance obtained for certain judges.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Government Code to increase the bond amount for bond and bond insurance obtained by a constitutional or county court judge presiding over a guardianship proceeding to not less than $100,000 for a court in a county with a population of 125,000 or less; or $250,000 for a court in a county with a population of 125,000 or more. In lieu of the bond, a county may elect to obtain insurance against losses caused by the county judge's gross negligence in performing the duties of office. The bill would require the commissioner's court of a county to pay the premium for the insurance out of the county's general funds. Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources. Local Government Impact According to the Texas Association of Counties, Travis County and Denton County reported the fiscal impact would not be significant. Source Agencies: 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council LBB Staff: UP, AG, MW, GDz, JGA UP, AG, MW, GDz, JGA