SB 0183 - Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note - SB 0183 - Adds one associate circuit judge in St. Francois County

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. NO. 0843-01

BILL NO. SB 183

SUBJECT: Associate Circuit Judges

TYPE: Original

DATE: February 3, 1999

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FISCAL SUMMARY

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
General Revenue	$0	($88,615)	($181,680)
Total Estimated Net Effect on All State Funds	$0	($88,615)	($181,680)

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
None
Total Estimated Net Effect on All Federal Funds	$0	$0	$0

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
Local Government	$0	($7,400)	($2,300)

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses

This fiscal note contains 4 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

Officials from the Office of State Courts Administrator (CTS) assume the proposed legislation would establish an additional associate circuit judge in St. Francois County effective January 1, 2001. Associate circuit judges are state-paid and are traditionally entitled to a state-paid division clerk. The current salary for the associate circuit judge would be $87,235 annually and the division clerk's salary would be $23,748 annually. Section 478.320 provides for a third associate circuit judge in a county once the population trigger reaches 150,000 in a regular census. The 2000 census will be reported and the provision operable on July 1, 2001. Current census projection figures indicate that St. Francois County will not exceed the population trigger. CTS assumes that any local costs would depend upon the availability of facilities, equipment, and operating costs.

Officials from the Office of the State Public Defender (SPD) assume the proposal would result in added pressure for assistant public defenders to be in multiple places at one time. SPD realizes that their caseload would not increase due to one additional judge in St. Francois County; however, their current caseload would be expedited. SPD assumes they would require 0.5 FTE Assistant Public Defender ($33,024 per year), plus fringe benefits, equipment, and operating expenses to carry out the provisions of this proposal with an estimated cost of approximately $26,000 annually.

Officials from the Office of Prosecution Services assume the proposal would have no fiscal impact on their agency.

In response to a similar proposal last session, officials from the Office of the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney assumed the proposal would have no fiscal impact on their budget.

Officials from the 24th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri (St. Francois County) assume the proposal would result in office expenses in the approximate amount of $7,400 during FY 2001 and approximately $2,300 annually thereafter. The FY 1999 costs resulting from this proposal would be as follows: remodeling ($1,000), office supplies ($1,000), telephone ($900), postage ($1,000), and new equipment ($3,500).

Officials from the Office of the Attorney General assume the proposal would have no fiscal impact on their budget.

FISCAL IMPACT - State Government	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
		(6 Mo.)
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
Costs - State Courts Administrator (CTS)
Personal Service (2 FTE)	$0	($58,301)	($119,517)
Fringe Benefits	0	(17,426)	(35,724)
Total Costs - CTS	$0	($75,725)	($155,241)
Costs - State Public Defender (SPD)
Personal Service (0.5 FTE)	$0	($8,674)	($17,782)
Fringe Benefits	0	(2,593)	(5,315)
Equipment and Expenses	0	(1,623)	(3,342)
Total Costs - SPD	$0	($12,890)	($26,439)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT
ON GENERAL REVENUE	($0)	($88,615)	($181,680)
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
		(6 Mo.)
	LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES
Costs - St. Francois County Circuit Court	$0	($7,400)	($2,300)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON
LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES	$0	($7,400)	($2,300)
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.

DESCRIPTION

This proposal adds one associate circuit judge in St. Francois county. The new associate circuit judge will be elected to office in 2000.

DESCRIPTION (continued)

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Office of State Courts Administrator

Office of the State Public Defender

Office of Prosecution Services

Office of the Attorney General

24th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri (St. Francois County)

NOT RESPONDING: Office of the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney

Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

February 3, 1999