Primary Department: District Courts
Primary Department Head/Elected Official:
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Position
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable):
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Choose an item.
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of one (1) Attorney VII position and one (1) Technician III position effective April 18, 2026, in connection with the SB 9 item approved by Commissioners Court on March 19, 2026.
end
Background and Discussion:
On March 19th, Commissioners Court requested that the District Courts Administration return on April 16, 2026, with recommendations for the creation of up to 2 new PCNs based on SB 9-related operational needs.
Based on the court-approved memorandum on SB 9-Related Weekend and Holiday Operational and Resource Impacts, District Courts request the creation of 1 Attorney VII position and 1 Technician III position, effective April 18, 2026.
Expected Impact:
Since its implementation, SB 9 has created sustained operational strain across key justice system departments.
The County’s compliance model, requiring expanded weekday, weekend, and holiday processes, has maintained continuity but relies heavily on overtime, compensatory time, staff reassignments, and emergency support. Based on the creation of the proposed positions, the District Courts will continue meeting SB 9 requirements without disruption.
Alternative Options:
Risk of non-compliance with the state mandate.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: E: Increase efficiency across the legal system.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): E3: Decrease time to disposition by implementing case workflow improvements in line with recommendations from the National Center for State Courts.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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3/19/26 |
1 |
Approved |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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1000 - General Fund |
$180,000 |
$ |
$180,000 |
$180,000 |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$180,000 |
$ |
$180,000 |
$180,000 |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Sources |
$180,000 |
$ |
$180,000 |
$180,000 |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
2 |
- |
2 |
2 |
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Total Personnel |
2 |
- |
2 |
2 |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 4/16/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Eric Harris, Interim Court Administrator, District Courts
Attachments (if applicable): Memo - SB 9-Related Weekend and Holiday Operational and Resource Impacts on the District Courts, District Clerk’s Office, Pretrial Services, and Public Defender’s Office