BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3927 By: Kuempel County Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Interested parties note that technological advancement and computerization have become the standard in government operations but that there is a need to modernize the office of constable to allow better interaction with the courts, court clerks, and emergency services. The parties contend that this need is not currently being met through county general revenue funds. H.B. 3927 seeks to address this need. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 3927 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to require the commissioners court of a county by order to create a constable technology fund. The bill requires a defendant convicted of a misdemeanor offense in justice court to pay a $4 constable technology fee as a cost of court for deposit in the fund. The bill considers a person convicted if a sentence is imposed on the person or the court defers final disposition of the person's case. The bill requires the justice court clerk to collect the costs and pay the funds to the county treasurer, or to any other official who discharges the duties commonly delegated to the county treasurer, for deposit in the constable technology fund. The bill restricts the use of the fund to the financing of the cost of continuing education and training for constables, deputy constables, and support staff regarding technological enhancements for the office of constable and the financing of the purchase and maintenance of technological enhancements for the office of constable. The bill requires the fund to be administered by or under the direction of the county commissioners court. H.B. 3927 amends the Government Code to make a conforming change. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2015.
BILL ANALYSIS
# BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 3927
By: Kuempel
County Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)
H.B. 3927
By: Kuempel
County Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Interested parties note that technological advancement and computerization have become the standard in government operations but that there is a need to modernize the office of constable to allow better interaction with the courts, court clerks, and emergency services. The parties contend that this need is not currently being met through county general revenue funds. H.B. 3927 seeks to address this need.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS H.B. 3927 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to require the commissioners court of a county by order to create a constable technology fund. The bill requires a defendant convicted of a misdemeanor offense in justice court to pay a $4 constable technology fee as a cost of court for deposit in the fund. The bill considers a person convicted if a sentence is imposed on the person or the court defers final disposition of the person's case. The bill requires the justice court clerk to collect the costs and pay the funds to the county treasurer, or to any other official who discharges the duties commonly delegated to the county treasurer, for deposit in the constable technology fund. The bill restricts the use of the fund to the financing of the cost of continuing education and training for constables, deputy constables, and support staff regarding technological enhancements for the office of constable and the financing of the purchase and maintenance of technological enhancements for the office of constable. The bill requires the fund to be administered by or under the direction of the county commissioners court. H.B. 3927 amends the Government Code to make a conforming change.
EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2015.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Interested parties note that technological advancement and computerization have become the standard in government operations but that there is a need to modernize the office of constable to allow better interaction with the courts, court clerks, and emergency services. The parties contend that this need is not currently being met through county general revenue funds. H.B. 3927 seeks to address this need.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 3927 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to require the commissioners court of a county by order to create a constable technology fund. The bill requires a defendant convicted of a misdemeanor offense in justice court to pay a $4 constable technology fee as a cost of court for deposit in the fund. The bill considers a person convicted if a sentence is imposed on the person or the court defers final disposition of the person's case. The bill requires the justice court clerk to collect the costs and pay the funds to the county treasurer, or to any other official who discharges the duties commonly delegated to the county treasurer, for deposit in the constable technology fund. The bill restricts the use of the fund to the financing of the cost of continuing education and training for constables, deputy constables, and support staff regarding technological enhancements for the office of constable and the financing of the purchase and maintenance of technological enhancements for the office of constable. The bill requires the fund to be administered by or under the direction of the county commissioners court.
H.B. 3927 amends the Government Code to make a conforming change.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2015.