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Relating to the consolidation and allocation of state criminal court costs; increasing the amounts of certain court costs and reducing the amounts of certain other court costs.
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB 346, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($50,637,667) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021. In addition, there would be a positive impact of $19,625,333 to multiple General Revenue-Dedicated accounts and $31,132,667 in Other Funds through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.
SB 346 would increase most consolidated court costs which convicted persons must pay. It also adjusts the allocation of funds from court costs to different projects and funds, and adds to those funds the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement account, judicial fund, DNA testing account, specialty court account, statewide electronic filing system account, jury service fund, truancy prevention and diversion account, and transportation administrative fee account.
SB 346 would also repeal provisions providing for court costs for DNA testing, jury reimbursement to counties, additional costs attendant to intoxication convictions, and a civil justice fee.
Texas Action remains neutral on SB 346 because it does not affect our liberty principles. While this bill would increase court costs upon conviction, it would also repeal many other costs. We applaud the efforts of the legislature to remain as revenue neutral as possible.