SRC-JXG H.B. 1254 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1254
76R4990 MLS-FBy: Goolsby (Carona)
Jurisprudence
4/23/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, a district clerk of a county is authorized to process United
States passport applications. An applicant must provide a specific number
and type of photograph. District clerks are unable to provide photographic
services to applicants or to contract with an outside vendor to take
pictures at the courthouses, because of the cost involved. H.B. 1254 would
allow district clerks to charge a reasonable fee to be set by the county
commissioners court to recover the costs of the passport photographs, and
would provide that the fee be deposited in the general fund of the county. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1254 authorizes district clerks to charge a reasonable
fee for passport photographs.  

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 Chapter 51D, Government Code, by adding Section 51.3031,
as follows: 

Sec. 51.3031. ISSUANCE OF UNITED STATES PASSPORTS. Authorizes a district
clerk to perform all duties necessary to process an application for a
United States passport, including taking passport photographs. Authorizes a
district clerk to collect a reasonable fee in an amount set by the
commissioners court of the county in which the district clerk's office is
located, to recover the costs of providing passport services, including
taking passport photographs. Requires a district clerk to pay the fee to
the county treasurer, or to an official who discharges the duties of the
county treasurer, for deposit in the general fund of the county, after
collecting a fee under Subsection (b). 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.