BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 453
By: Brown (Talton)
May 19, 1995
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Bail bondsmen and county governments interact on a regular basis. 
For many years, bail bondsmen have been guaranteeing their licenses
with certificates of deposit (CD), as required by law.  Currently,
these CDs must be styled in the name of the county treasurer.  This
has caused problems with the banks and the IRS because the CD and
interest earned on the CD are legally owned by the bondsman and
merely pledged as collateral to the county.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 453 requires an applicant for a bail bondsman's
license who has a certificate of deposit with the county treasurer
and the financial institution that issues a certificate of deposit
to assign the certificate of deposit to the county treasurer of the
county in which the bondsman's license is to be issued.

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 Section 6, Article 2372p-3, V.T.C.S., by adding
Subsection (i), to require an applicant for a bail bondsman's
license who has a certificate of deposit with the county treasurer
and the financial institution that issues a certificate of deposit
to assign the certificate of deposit to the county treasurer of the
county in which the bondsman's license is to be issued.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995.
           Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

SB 453 was considered by the full committee in a formal meeting on
May 19, 1995.  SB 453 was reported favorably without amendments,
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed by a record
vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 3 absent.