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.