LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 27, 2025 TO: Honorable Jeff Leach, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB2353 by Dutton (Relating to compensation for an attorney ad litem appointed in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources. Local Government ImpactAt this time, the fiscal implications of the bill would have a negative impact to Harris County; however, the total impact can not be determined due to a lack of case-level data.According to the Office of Court Administration, Harris County is currently the only county with a population of three million or more, as restricted by the bill. Harris County currently pays affected attorney's an hourly rate of $75-$100 per hour, $125-$225 per day for in-court appearances, and $300-$500 per day for contested final trials. The bill would require Harris County to increase the hourly rate to $250 per hour and prohibits affected counties from reducing the new hourly rate. Source Agencies: b > td > 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, KDw, DA, JPa
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 27, 2025
TO: Honorable Jeff Leach, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB2353 by Dutton (Relating to compensation for an attorney ad litem appointed in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Jeff Leach, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB2353 by Dutton (Relating to compensation for an attorney ad litem appointed in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity.), As Introduced
Honorable Jeff Leach, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Honorable Jeff Leach, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB2353 by Dutton (Relating to compensation for an attorney ad litem appointed in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity.), As Introduced
HB2353 by Dutton (Relating to compensation for an attorney ad litem appointed in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
At this time, the fiscal implications of the bill would have a negative impact to Harris County; however, the total impact can not be determined due to a lack of case-level data.According to the Office of Court Administration, Harris County is currently the only county with a population of three million or more, as restricted by the bill. Harris County currently pays affected attorney's an hourly rate of $75-$100 per hour, $125-$225 per day for in-court appearances, and $300-$500 per day for contested final trials. The bill would require Harris County to increase the hourly rate to $250 per hour and prohibits affected counties from reducing the new hourly rate.
Source Agencies: b > td > 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council
LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, KDw, DA, JPa
JMc, KDw, DA, JPa