MMA C.S.H.B. 2617 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS HIGHER EDUCATION C.S.H.B. 2617 By: Oakley 4-19-97 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND Effective September 1, 1993, H.B. 977 transferred the headquarters of the Law Enforcement Management Institute (LEMIT) from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. LEMIT is entirely funded through a surcharge on criminal offenses. One half of each dollar related to court costs of a criminal offense conviction goes to the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas fund--the LEMIT fund. LEMIT is required to cover all costs associated with administration and education, as well as transportation, lodging, and meals for participants of the training program. In order to meet the training requirements of LEMIT, additional funding is needed to support facilities and infrastructure associated with law enforcement management personnel training. PURPOSE C.S.H.B. 2617 increases court costs related to criminal offense convictions from $3.50 to $4.00, with proceeds ($.50) going to the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas fund. In addition, authority is given to the board of regents of the Texas State University System to finance capital improvement projects for the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas fund to be financed by the issuance of bonds. 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. Amends Chapter 415.082(a), Government Code, by raising court costs for a criminal offense conviction to $4.00 from $3.50, and dedicating additional funds to the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute fund. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 96.64, Education Code, by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (e) Allows the Texas State University System board of regents to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property, buildings, structures, facilities, roads, or related infrastructure for the institute to be financed by the issuance of bonds in accordance with Subchapter B, Chapter 55. Permits the board of regents to pledge for payment of those bonds a portion of the proceeds of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas fund. Contains standard provision stating that the amount pledged may not be reduced or revoked while debt is outstanding. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 4. States that the change in law made by Section 1 of this Act applies only to a conviction of a criminal offense that occurs on or after September 1, 1997. SECTION 5. Emergency clause. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 2617 amends the caption to be more specific, makes non-substantive changes and some technical corrections as recommended by the Legislative Council. Also adds a new SECTION 3 an effective date clause, and SECTION 4 which states to what convictions the Act applies.