NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

SUMMARY

    Synopsis of Amendment

The amendment to Senate Bill 187 deletes the $264.0 appropriation originally contained in the bill. In addition, the amendment changes the start date for the judgeship to begin on July 1, 2000. The effective date of the bill is also changed to reflect July 1, 2000.

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 187 creates a third district judgeship in the Sixth judicial district.

Significant Issues

The new judge would be appointed by the governor as of July 1, 1999 and shall serve until succeeded by a judge elected in the general election of 2000.

Senate Bill 187 does not include costs that could be incurred by the Public Defender Department and the Sixth Judicial District Attorney due to the criminal caseload of a new judge.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 187 appropriates $264.0 in recurring general fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

A new judgeship could impact the caseloads of the Public Defender Department and the Sixth Judicial District Attorney.

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