Texas Senate Bill SB1217

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of a county to deposit fees collected by a county bail bond board in a separate county fund.

Impact

Through this amendment to the Occupations Code, the bill seeks to enhance financial accountability and regulatory oversight within county bail bond operations. By allowing counties to create a dedicated fund for these fees, it ensures that the money can be specifically allocated to cover the costs associated with administering and enforcing the statute. This could potentially improve the operational efficiency of local bail bond boards and provide them with more financial resources to effectively combat issues within the industry.

Summary

SB1217 is an act that addresses the financial management of funds collected by county bail bond boards in Texas. This legislation provides counties with the authority to deposit the fees they collect from bail bond operations into a separate county fund rather than solely relying on the general fund. The primary intent of this bill is to streamline the financial processes involved in the administration and enforcement of regulations pertaining to the bail bond industry.

Contention

The bill reflects a broader conversation on local governance and the appropriate allocation of funds. While supporters argue that this change provides necessary financial clarity and improves local governance in the handling of bail bond operations, there may be concerns about how these funds are managed and whether this system may lead to misallocation or transparency issues. The ability to transfer previously collected fees into this separate fund may prompt discussions about existing financial practices within counties and how such changes could influence local budgeting processes.