SRC-JFA, AAA S.B. 1848 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1848
By: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
4-15-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, several counties are funding their volunteer fire departments
from the counties' general revenue fund and ad valorem taxes.  A fee
collected on vehicle registrations would allow counties to obtain proper
funding for the volunteer fire department.  Such a fee may allow the
volunteer firefighters to spend less time on fundraising and more time on
training and responding to emergencies.  This bill would authorize a
county on a local optional basis to establish a "fire protection fund"
based on the imposition of fees collected from vehicle registrations.   
  
PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1848 authorizes a county on a local optional basis to
establish a "fire protection fund" based on the imposition of fees upon
vehicle registrations within the county.  

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 502.172, Transportation Code, by amending the
section heading and Subsections (a) and (f), as follows: 

Sec. 502.172. New heading: OPTIONAL COUNTY FEE FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND
AND FIRE PROTECTION FUND. Authorizes the commissioners court of a county
to impose an additional fee not to exceed $20, rather than $10, for
registering a vehicle in the county. Authorizes the additional fee imposed
under this section to include a fee not to exceed $10 for a county road
and bridge fund and a fee not to exceed $10 for the county fire protection
fund.  Requires the commissioners court of a county to specify the amount
of the additional fee.  Requires the fee to be credited to the county fire
protection fund as provided for in the commissioners court order imposing
the additional fee. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.