By: Canales H.B. No. 3892
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study conducted by the Office of Court Administration
of the Texas Judicial System
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 72, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 72.032 to read as follows:
Section 72.032. STUDY ON COLLECTIONS OF COURT FEES AND
COSTS.
(a) Not later than October 1, 2016, the Office of Court
Administration shall conduct a study on court fees and costs that
determines:
(1) which statutory court fees and costs are assessed in
criminal cases;
(2) how much money is assessed for each of those court fees
and costs;
(3) how much money is collected for each of those court fees
and costs;
(4) the average or median amount of money assessed and
collected in court fees and costs per case;
(5) the amount of jail credit given, in dollars; and
(6) how much time it takes after assessment for court fees
and costs to be collected, including the percentage collected
immediately; the percentage collected within 30, 60, 90, and 180
days; and the percentage collected after 180 days.
(b) Once the study is concluded, the office shall:
(1) publish the study results on the office's Internet
website and in the Texas Register; and
(2) provide a copy of the study results to the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) In conducting the study required under Subsection (a), the
office shall consult with local government representatives as the
office determines appropriate. The office may choose to conduct the
study by examining and analyzing a representative sample of
jurisdictions.
(d) This section expires January 1, 2019.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.