SRC-TNM S.B. 677 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 677
By: Harris
Intergovernmental Relations
3-16-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, larger counties which regulate auto wrecking and salvage yards
attempt to impose screening and setback requirements.  However, the cost
of administering and enforcing these requirements exceeds its fees and
fines.  S.B. 677 increases fines for violations and increases the fee for
issuance or renewals of licenses intended to cover the costs of
administration and enforcement of automotive wrecking and salvage yards. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 677 outlines provisions and provides penalties regarding
the regulation of automotive wrecking and salvage yards in certain
counties. 

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 396.024(b), Transportation Code, to provide that
an offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not
less than $100 or more than $500. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 396.041(c), Transportation Code, to authorize an
ordinance to impose a fee of $25 for the issuance or renewal of a license
if the ordinance is adopted by the commissioners court of a county with a
population of less than 1,000,000 and to impose a fee of not more than
$250 for the issuance or renewal of a license if the ordinance is adopted
by the commissioners court of a county with a population of one million or
more.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 396.045(b), Transportation Code, to provide that
an offense under this section is a misdemeanor, rather than a Class C
misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than
$500. 

SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.