Texas Senate Bill SB1059

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/27/11
• Introduced: 3/2/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/3/11
• Refer: 3/16/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/20/11
• Report Pass: 4/27/11
• Engrossed: 5/3/11
• Refer: 5/4/11
• Report Pass: 5/18/11

Caption

Relating to the program for improvement of collection of court costs, fees, and fines imposed in criminal cases.

Impact

The implications of SB1059 are significant as it aims to enforce compliance among local governments regarding the collection of court-imposed financial obligations. By defining population thresholds for municipalities and counties, the bill could lead to better resource allocation and management of recovery efforts in areas with larger populations. Moreover, through mandated audits by the comptroller, the bill seeks to ensure adherence to established guidelines, thus promoting accountability in local governance.

Summary

SB1059 introduces amendments aimed at enhancing the collection and management of court costs, fees, and fines imposed in criminal cases within the state of Texas. The bill mandates that counties with populations over 50,000 and municipalities with populations over 100,000 develop and implement programs to improve the efficiency of their collection efforts. It establishes a framework for these entities to report annually on their program's progress to the office in consultation with the comptroller.

Contention

The potential points of contention surrounding SB1059 may arise from concerns of overreach by the state into local governance. Local entities might view the bill as an imposition of administrative requirements that could strain their resources and autonomy. Furthermore, the focus on compliance and the financial implications for municipalities that fail to adhere to the new regulations could spark debates on the equitable distribution of penalties and the responsibilities of local versus state authorities.