BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3165 By: Cuellar, H. (Zaffirini) Jurisprudence 5-17-95 Senate Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Concern has been raised about the safety of the public and county employees due to various recent threats at the Webb County Justice Center. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3165 authorizes an additional fee to be set by the Webb County Commissioners Court for collection in each civil case filed in the county court, county court at law, or district court for expanded security measures to be installed in the Webb County Justice Center. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 291, Local Government Code, by adding Section 291.009, as follows: Sec. 291.009. WEBB COUNTY SECURITY FEE. (a) Authorizes the Webb County Commissioners to set a fee of up to $20 to be collected at the time of filing in each civil case filed in the county court, a county court at law, or a district court in Webb County (fee). Requires the fee to be taxed as other costs. Provides that the county is not liable for the costs. (b) Requires the fee to be taxed and collected as a cost of court against each nonprevailing party in any civil case brought by the state or a political subdivision in which the state or subdivision is the prevailing party. (c) Requires the clerks of the respective courts to collect the costs under Subsections (a) and (b). (d) Requires the costs and fees collected to be paid to the county treasurer, or to any official discharging the county treasurer's duties, for deposit in a special fund to be used by the commissioners court only for courthouse security. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.