CJ S.B. 348 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS JUVENILE JUSTICE & FAMILY ISSUES S.B. 348 By: Harris (Thompson) 4-3-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, the law provides that costs be awarded in the same manner as other civil cases. However, in suits affecting the parent-child relationship it is seldom possible to tell who is the prevailing party, especially given the recent movement toward greater involvement by both parents. This bill eliminates the requirement that award of cost must be in the manner as other civil suits, and to allow the court to award costs in the manner in which the court sees fit. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 348 changes the way certain costs are paid in family law cases. 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 Section 106.001, Family Code, to delete a provision authorizing the court to award costs in the same manner as in other civil cases in a suit under this title and a habeas corpus proceeding. SECTION 2. Amends Section 106.002(a), Family Code, to make a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 3. Amends Section 152.007(g), Family Code, to delete a provision that payment is to be made to the clerk of the court for remittance to the proper party. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Applies to pending actions regardless of date the suit was commenced. SECTION 5. Emergency clause. CJ S.B. 348 75 (R)