ACM H.B. 2502 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE H.B. 2502 By: Elkins 5-1-97 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND Currently, the offense of nonpayment of a toll is prosecuted in the justice court precinct in which the offense occurs. In Harris County, this has created a backlog of cases in those justice court precincts in which the offenses usually occur. PURPOSE HB 2502, as proposed, allows for the prosecution of the offense of nonpayment of a toll to be prosecuted in any precinct in the county in which the offense occurs. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Adds Subsection (d) to Section 284.070 of the Transportation Code to allow prosecution of the offense of nonpayment of a toll in a justice court in any precinct in which the offense was committed. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997 SECTION 3. Emergency clause. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS The committee amendment provides that an offense under Section 284.070, Transportation Code, may be prosecuted in any precinct in the county in which the offense was committed as long as the county has a population greater than 2.8 million.