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.