FISCAL NOTE

Senate Bill 229 as introduced authorizes the Board of Court Reporting to employ and compensate sufficient employees, including but not limited to an executive director, consultants, attorneys, and investigators, without regard to the State Merit System. This bill could increase the expenses of the Board, by an undetermined amount, dependent upon the number of new employees if any, hired to adequately administer the provisions of the bill. In addition, this bill could increase receipts to the Board of Court Reporting Fund in the State Treasury, by an undetermined amount, dependent upon the number of persons assessed fines for violating the provisions of this bill and the amount of the fines imposed.

In addition, this bill could increase receipts to the State General Fund and municipal general funds from fines; increase receipts to the State General Fund, county general funds, municipal general funds, and other funds to which court costs are deposited; and could increase the obligations of the State General Fund, district attorneys, and local jails by an undetermined amount dependent upon the number of persons charged with and convicted of the offenses provided by this bill and the penalties imposed.