SRC-JBJ H.B. 1955 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1955
77R5104 GWK-DBy: Zbranek (Staples)
Criminal Justice
5/8/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current Texas law, a defendant placed in jail on account of failure
to pay the fine and costs of a case is required to be discharged when the
defendant has remained in jail a sufficient length of time to satisfy the
fine and costs.  The defendant may satisfy this amount at a rate of not
less than $100 for each day or part of a day of jail time served, while a
defendant who performs exactly eight hours of community service is
discharged from $100 of fines or costs.  H.B. 1955 authorizes a convicting
court to specify a period of time that is not less than eight hours or more
than 24 hours as the period for which a defendant who fails to pay the fine
and costs in the case must remain in jail to satisfy $100 of the fine and
costs.  

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 Article 45.048, Code of Criminal Procedure, to require a
defendant placed in jail on account of failure to pay the fine and costs to
be discharged on habeas corpus by a certain showing.  Authorizes a
convicting court to specify a period of time that is not less than eight
hours or more than 24 hours as the period for which a defendant who fails
to pay the fines and costs in the case must remain in jail to satisfy $100
of the fine and costs. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.
 
SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.