Texas Senate Bill SB967

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of a municipality or county to retain certain fees.

Impact

The proposed changes in SB967 will affect the financial operations of local governments by potentially restricting their ability to collect service fees if they fail to meet compliance standards. The implications of this bill highlight a commitment to maintaining accountability among municipalities and counties, particularly in how they handle public funds. By linking the retention of these fees to compliance audits, SB967 aims to foster a more transparent and responsible fiscal environment for local government operations in Texas.

Summary

SB967 seeks to establish a framework regarding the authority of municipalities and counties in Texas to retain specific service fees. The bill emphasizes compliance with auditing standards set forth in the Code of Criminal Procedure, particularly Article 103.0033. It stipulates that if a municipality or county is found noncompliant during an audit, they shall not be able to retain certain service fees until they have reestablished compliance within a specified timeframe. This bill aims to ensure that local government entities adhere to state regulations before they can collect and retain fees from services provided.

Contention

While the intent of SB967 is to enhance governance and ensure municipal compliance with state law, there could be resistance from local governments that view this framework as an added bureaucratic burden. Concerns may arise around the timeline set for compliance and whether it allows sufficient time for municipalities to rectify any issues found during audits. Local authorities might argue that the bill undermines their autonomy and flexibility to manage their fee structures, leading to potential challenges in funding necessary services if they are penalized for noncompliance.