SRC-JJJ S.B. 229 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 229
By: Ellis
Jurisprudence
7/27/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law requires a $25 time payment fee to be collected from
persons convicted in municipal and county criminal courts but who do not
pay certain fines immediately.  Questions from courts have arisen regarding
the application of the fee.  S.B. 229 will clarify the method and
timeliness involved in the collection of certain fines, court costs, and
restitution in criminal cases. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 229 requires the collection of certain fines, court
costs, and restitution in criminal cases. 

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 51.921, Government Code, by amending Subsection
(a) and adding Subsection (f), to require the clerk of certain courts to
collect a $25 fee from a person who seeks to pay any part of a fine, court
cost, or restitution on or after the 31st day after the date on which a
judgment is entered assessing the fine, court costs, or restitution.
Authorizes the comptroller to audit the records of a county or municipality
relating to fees collected under this section.  Deletes text regarding a
county court at law.  Deletes text regarding the payment of certain court
costs and for a fee that is in a case the court has deferred over a period
of time rather than immediately.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive
changes. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999, except as provided by
SECTION 3 of this Act. 
            Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Provides that this Act takes effect only if a specific
appropriation for the implementation of this Act is provided in H.B. 1,
Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999. 

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.