SRC-AXB S.B. 249 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 249
76R3767 MLS-DBy: Ellis
Jurisprudence
3/16/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Capital murder cases and certain criminal and civil cases have the
potential to be inordinately expensive.  S.B. 249 would authorize the
creation of a new trial court emergency account within the current judicial
fund to establish a basis for the distribution of funds to trial courts in
rural areas to help defray the costs of such cases.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 249 authorizes the Office of Court Administration of the
Texas Judicial System to distribute money to trial courts in rural areas to
help defray the costs of certain 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 Chapter 21, Government Code, by adding Section 21.0081,
as follows: 

Sec.  21.0081.  TRIAL COURT EMERGENCY ACCOUNT.  Defines "office."  Provides
that the trial court emergency account (account) is an account in the
judicial fund.  Requires the Office of Court Administration of the Texas
Judicial System (office) to administer the account.  Requires the office to
distribute the account money to help trial courts defray the cost of
capital murder cases and other cases with inordinate expenses.  Requires
the office to give preference to trial courts in rural areas.  Requires the
office to file a report with the Legislative Budget Board showing the
purpose of each account disbursement.  Provides that all money spent is
subject to audit by the comptroller and state auditor. 

SECTION 2.Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.