Texas House Bill HB1327

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to increases in the records management and preservation fee and records archive fee imposed by a county clerk.

Impact

The changes introduced by HB 1327 directly impact the financial operations of county clerks and local government administrations. By allowing counties to collect higher fees, the bill aims to ensure that local records management systems can maintain the necessary resources to meet public needs and legal obligations. The modified fee structure will apply only to fees assessed after the bill's effective date, ensuring that any existing agreements are not retroactively affected.

Summary

House Bill 1327 seeks to amend the Local Government Code to increase the records management and preservation fee and the records archive fee that can be imposed by county clerks in Texas. The bill proposes raising the maximum allowable fees for services related to records management and preservation from $5 to $10, and also proposes an increase in the records archive fee from $5 to $10. The intent of the bill is to provide local government entities with increased revenue to manage and preserve records effectively.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1327 appears generally supportive, as it addresses critical funding needs for local government operations. Supporters, including local government officials and clerks, view the fee increases as a necessary step to maintain and improve records management systems, which are essential for transparency and accessibility of public records. However, there may be concerns among the public regarding the financial burden of increased fees.

Contention

One notable point of contention could arise from the potential perception of fee increases as a means of generating additional revenue in a state that is consistently evaluating the balance between taxation and public service funding. While the bill targets specific service fees, its implications on local budgets and their impact on residents’ access to public records could lead to debates on the appropriateness of such increases.