BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2499 By: Thompson, Senfronia; Herrero (Perry) Criminal Justice 5/15/2015 Engrossed BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2499 By: Thompson, Senfronia; Herrero (Perry) Criminal Justice 5/15/2015 Engrossed Senate Research Center H.B. 2499 By: Thompson, Senfronia; Herrero (Perry) Criminal Justice 5/15/2015 Engrossed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Interested parties contend that bail bond boards currently use a paper filing system that can be burdensome and costly for counties, attorneys, and bail bond agents. The parties believe that using an electronic filing system such as the system mandated in civil courts will ensure savings and reduce paperwork. H.B. 2499 seeks to address this issue by revising provisions relating to the filing of bail bonds in certain counties. H.B. 2499 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to authorize a bail bond to be filed electronically with the court, judge, magistrate, or other officer taking the bond. H.B. 2499 amends current law relating to the electronic filing of bail bonds. 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 Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Article 17.026, as follows: Art. 17.026. ELECTRONIC FILING OF BAIL BOND. Provides that a bail bond, in any manner permitted by the county in which the bond is written, may be filed electronically with the court, judge, magistrate, or other officer taking the bond. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015. AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Interested parties contend that bail bond boards currently use a paper filing system that can be burdensome and costly for counties, attorneys, and bail bond agents. The parties believe that using an electronic filing system such as the system mandated in civil courts will ensure savings and reduce paperwork. H.B. 2499 seeks to address this issue by revising provisions relating to the filing of bail bonds in certain counties. H.B. 2499 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to authorize a bail bond to be filed electronically with the court, judge, magistrate, or other officer taking the bond. H.B. 2499 amends current law relating to the electronic filing of bail bonds. 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 Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Article 17.026, as follows: Art. 17.026. ELECTRONIC FILING OF BAIL BOND. Provides that a bail bond, in any manner permitted by the county in which the bond is written, may be filed electronically with the court, judge, magistrate, or other officer taking the bond. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.