SRC-MWN S.B. 173 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 173
77R2738 JMG-FBy: Carona
Criminal Justice
1/25/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a criminal defendant is refunded all cash funds posted for his
or her bail bond if and when the defendant has complied with all of the
conditions of that bond. As proposed, S.B. 173 amends Article 17.02, Code
of Criminal Procedure, to allow all cash funds posted on a criminal
defendant's bail bond to be refunded to a surety if there is a surety on
the bond and makes clear that if there are funds to be refunded to the
defendant, the custodian of funds is authorized to deduct any outstanding
fines and court costs owed by the defendant. 

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 17.02, Code of Criminal Procedure,  to redefine
"bail bond." Requires any cash funds deposited under this Article to be
receipted for by the officer receiving the same and is required to be
refunded to the surety if there is a surety on the bond or to the defendant
if there is no surety if and when the defendant complies with the
conditions of his or her bond, and upon order of the court. Authorizes the
custodian of funds, if funds are to be refunded to the defendant, to deduct
from the amount to be refunded any outstanding fines and court costs owed
by the defendant. 

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