BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 387 83R2516 NAJ-D By: Nichols Jurisprudence 3/8/2013 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 387
83R2516 NAJ-D By: Nichols
Jurisprudence
3/8/2013
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 387
83R2516 NAJ-D
By: Nichols
Jurisprudence
3/8/2013
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The 79th Texas Legislature, in 2005, created the mandatory county debt collection program. Under this program, all counties with a population over 50,000 were required to hire at least one county debt collector for court costs, fines, and fees. Current law allows counties with a population of less than 50,000 to hire the services of a third-party collection service company. S.B. 387 amends current statute allow Cherokee County to opt out of the state-mandated program. S.B. 387 is a local bill that pertains only to Cherokee County. This bill gives Cherokee County another option to collect these fines, which in most cases will allow for a more effective and efficient local government. As proposed, S.B. 387 amends current law relating to county participation in a program for improvement of collection of court costs, fees, and fines imposed in criminal cases. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Article 103.0033, Code of Criminal Procedure, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1), as follows: (b) Provides that, except as provided by Subsection (b-1), this article applies only to a county with a population of 50,000 or greater and a municipality with a population of 100,000 or greater. (b-1) Provides that this article does not apply to a county with a population of less than 55,000 that contains a hospital owned and operated by the state. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The 79th Texas Legislature, in 2005, created the mandatory county debt collection program. Under this program, all counties with a population over 50,000 were required to hire at least one county debt collector for court costs, fines, and fees.
Current law allows counties with a population of less than 50,000 to hire the services of a third-party collection service company. S.B. 387 amends current statute allow Cherokee County to opt out of the state-mandated program.
S.B. 387 is a local bill that pertains only to Cherokee County. This bill gives Cherokee County another option to collect these fines, which in most cases will allow for a more effective and efficient local government.
As proposed, S.B. 387 amends current law relating to county participation in a program for improvement of collection of court costs, fees, and fines imposed in criminal cases.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Article 103.0033, Code of Criminal Procedure, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1), as follows:
(b) Provides that, except as provided by Subsection (b-1), this article applies only to a county with a population of 50,000 or greater and a municipality with a population of 100,000 or greater.
(b-1) Provides that this article does not apply to a county with a population of less than 55,000 that contains a hospital owned and operated by the state.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.