SRC-SLL H.B. 2617 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2617
By: Oakley (Brown)
Finance
5-14-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute
(institute) is funded through a surcharge on criminal offenses.  One-half
of each dollar related to court costs of a criminal offense goes to the
institute fund.  The institute is required to cover all costs associated
with administration and education, as well as transportation, lodging, and
meals for participants of the training program. This bill will provide
regulations for the assessment of certain court costs in criminal cases
and the use of that revenue to fund the institute. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2617 provides regulations for the assessment of certain
court costs in criminal cases and the use of that revenue to fund the Bill
Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 415.082(a), Government Code, to require a person
convicted of a criminal offense to pay as court costs $4, rather than
$3.50, in addition to other taxable court costs. Requires the costs
collected under this subsection to be deposited in the state treasury with
$1, rather than 50 cents, going to the credit of the Bill Blackwood Law
Enforcement Management Institute of Texas fund (fund) established under
Section 96.64, Education Code.  Makes a nonsubstantive change. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 96.64, Education Code, by amending Subsection
(e), to authorize the board of regents of the Texas State University
System to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or
equip property, buildings, structures, facilities, roads, or related
infrastructure for the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute
of Texas to be financed by the issuance of bonds in accordance with
Chapter 55B.  Authorizes the board of regents to pledge irrevocably to the
payment of those bonds a portion of the fund.  Prohibits the amount of a
pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while
the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
bonds, are outstanding. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Makes application of SECTION 1 of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.