SRC-JXG S.B. 601 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 601
By: Moncrief
Intergovernmental Relations
4/6/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

In 1995, the Texas Legislature passed a law that allowed municipal courts
to use computer technology to conduct court business. This legislation
allowed the courts to conduct business in a more efficient manner. Cities
require new computer hardware, software, and a court management system to
implement this technology. The approximate cost to implement computer
imaging in a major city court system may cost between $1.5 to $2.5 million
or more. Other technological improvements such as hand held ticket writers
and other related items may increase the total cost to exceed $3.5 million,
depending on the size of the court system. S.B. 601 would allow
municipalities to establish a municipal court technology fund to be funded
through court costs. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 601 creates a municipal court technology fund.

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 102A, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Article 102.0172, as follows: 

Art. 102.0172. COURT COSTS; MUNICIPAL COURT TECHNOLOGY FUND. Authorizes the
governing body of a municipality by ordinance to create a municipal court
technology fund and to require a defendant convicted of a misdemeanor
offense in a municipal court or municipal court of record to pay a
technology fee not to exceed $10 as a cost of court. Provides that in this
article, a person is convicted if a sentence is imposed on the person, the
person receives probation or deferred adjudication, or the court defers
final disposition of the person's case. Requires the municipal court clerk
to collect the cost of court provided by this section and to pay the funds
collected to the municipal treasurer, or to any other official who
discharges the duty commonly delegated to the municipal treasurer, for
deposit in a fund to be known as the municipal court technology fund.
Provides that the municipal court technology fund authorized by this
section may be used only to finance the purchase of technological
enhancements for a municipal court or municipal court of record, including
but not limited to certain items. Requires the municipal court technology
fund to be administered by or under the direction of the governing body of
the municipality.  

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.