Texas House Bill HB1196

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

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

Impact

The bill focuses its applicability primarily on counties with populations of 50,000 or greater, while also making provisions for municipalities with populations of 100,000 or more. However, it includes a noteworthy exception stating that counties with populations under 55,000 housing a state-operated hospital are not subject to these provisions. This inclusion reflects an awareness of the varying needs across different regions in Texas and aims to improve financial accountability through targeted measures.

Summary

House Bill 1196 aims to enhance the ability of counties in Texas to collect court costs, fees, and fines imposed in criminal cases. It seeks to amend existing provisions under Article 103.0033 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically addressing the applicability of collection efforts in relation to county population size. The bill attempts to incentivize active participation from counties, particularly those in need of financial improvement through better collection practices.

Contention

There could be multiple implications arising from this bill, particularly concerning the financial responsibilities placed upon counties and municipalities. Supporters of the bill are likely to emphasize the importance of efficient collection processes for court-imposed costs, arguing that it would ultimately benefit county budgets and local funding opportunities. However, critics may raise concerns regarding compliance difficulties for smaller counties or municipalities and the potential for inequities in enforcement based on population size.

Notable_points

The bill proposes immediate enactment should it pass with a two-thirds majority in both houses of the legislature, highlighting an urgency in addressing collection inefficiencies. If the necessary votes are not achieved, the act will still go into effect on September 1, 2013. This timeline emphasizes the legislature's intent to make swift improvements to the system governing court cost collections, potentially paving the way for future legislation aimed at financial accountability.