BILL ANALYSIS


                                                     C.S.S.B. 261
                                                       By: Leedom
                                      Intergovernmental Relations
                                                          2-15-95
                                   Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND

Many cities and counties write off hundreds of thousands of dollars
of uncollected fines for violations of motor vehicle laws and
ordinances each year.  The loss in revenue is made up by citizens
of these jurisdictions through taxes.

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 261 makes a person who owes a delinquent
motor vehicle fine liable for interest on the fine, attorney's
fees, and other expenses.

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 Title 116, V.T.C.S., by adding Article 6701d-28,
as follows:

     Art. 6701d-28.  LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPENSE IN COLLECTING FINES. 
     (a)  Defines "delinquent fine" and "motor vehicle
     misdemeanor."
     
     (b)  Provides that a person owing a delinquent fine for 30
       days or more for a motor vehicle misdemeanor is liable to
       the municipality or county for interest on the amount of the
       delinquent fine and attorney's fees incurred by the
       municipality or county in the collection of the delinquent
       fine, if the governing body of a municipality or county by
       an affirmative vote recorded in the governing body's minutes
       approves the collection of expenses related to delinquent
       fines for motor vehicle misdemeanors.
       
       (c)  Provides that this article does not apply to expenses
       that the municipality or county collects under other
       authority.
       
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.