SRC-SEW H.B. 1863 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1863
77R6393 PAM-DBy: Kuempel (Wentworth)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/4/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law allows for an annual dog registration fee of $1 to be paid to a
county.  However, the state comptroller has found that counties actually
charge anywhere from $1 up to $15 per dog per year.  For those counties
that charge $1, this fee does not always provide enough revenue to cover
the cost of the registration services.  Also, some counties have different
registration fees based on if the dog is neutered or not and offer a
discount to dog owners over the age of 65. H.B. 1863 authorizes a county
commissioners court to set the registration fee for dogs in an amount of
more than $1 but not to exceed $5.  
 
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 822.028, Health and Safety Code, as follows:
 
Sec. 822.028.  REGISTRATION FEE.  Authorizes the commissioners court of a
county to set the registration fee for dogs in an amount of more than $1
but not more than $5, and provides that if the court sets the amount of the
fee the dog owner is required to pay that amount. Makes nonsubstantive
changes. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage September 1, 2001.