SRC-AXB S.B. 320 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 320
76R660  GWK-DBy: Ellis
Jurisprudence
2/19/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law regulates a deferment payment schedule for a parole
releasee's fees.  Although releasees are criminally liable for fine
repayment, the parolee criminal fine collection rates for the fall of 1996
were only 61 percent for county courts, representing a loss of $412,201 on
average, and 26 percent for district courts, representing a loss of
$570,333 on average.  This bill sets forth provisions regarding the
collection of fines and court costs from persons released from the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice on parole or mandatory supervision. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 320 sets forth provisions regarding the collection of
fines and court costs from persons released from the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice on parole or mandatory supervision. 

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 Article 103.003, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Subsection (c), as follows: 

(c)  Authorizes a Texas Department of Criminal Justice employee to collect
money in satisfaction of a condition of release on parole or mandatory
supervision that requires payment of a fine or court cost. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 508.182(c), Government Code, to allow an
exception to the requirement for a releasee to pay a certain fee.  Requires
a releasee who is required to pay a fine or court costs to pay deferred
parole supervision and administrative fees by the second anniversary of the
completed payment of the required court costs. 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.