HBA-NMO S.C.R. 14 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.C.R. 14
By: Ellis
Judicial Affairs
5/10/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

A 1996 survey by the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial
System revealed that county-level courts have a collection rate of 61
percent for an average loss of $412,000 in uncollected fines, while
district courts collect just 26 percent for an average loss of $570,000.  A
computerized collections system and other information technologies may
better enable the courts to track and assess the repayment status and
residency of defendants, provide other information necessary in collecting
debts, facilitate the transfer of information, and thus enhance the courts'
collection efforts and improve their fine collection rates.  S.C.R. 14
provides that the 76th Texas Legislature request the Office of Court
Administration of the Texas Judicial System to work with the Judicial
Committee on Information Technology to develop recommendations for using
technology and training to notify counties in which an offense has been
committed of the defendant's residency and the fine's repayment status.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

S.C.R. provides that the 76th Texas Legislature request the Office of Court
Administration of the Texas Judicial System to work with the Judicial
Committee on Information Technology to develop recommendations for using
technology and training to notify counties in which an offense has been
committed of the defendant's residency and the fine's repayment status and
that the office submit its recommendations to the legislature no later than
January 1, 2001. 

Provides that the secretary of state forward an official copy of this
resolution to the director of the Office of Court Administration of the
Texas Judicial System and to the presiding officer of the Judicial
Committee on Information Technology.