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.