1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the authority of the state auditor to review the use of 1-3 money collected as court costs. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 321, Government Code, is amended by 1-6 adding Section 321.017 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 321.017. REVIEW AND OVERSIGHT OF FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS 1-8 RECEIVING COURT COSTS. (a) The state auditor may review each fund 1-9 and account into which money collected as a court cost is directed 1-10 by law to be deposited to determine whether: 1-11 (1) the money is being used for the purpose or 1-12 purposes for which the money is collected; and 1-13 (2) the amount of the court cost is appropriate, 1-14 considering the purpose or purposes for which the cost is 1-15 collected. 1-16 (b) The state auditor may perform reviews under this section 1-17 as specified in the audit plan developed under Section 321.013. 1-18 (c) The state auditor shall make the findings of a review 1-19 performed under this section available to the public and shall 1-20 report the findings to the governor, the chief justice of the 1-21 supreme court, the presiding judge of the court of criminal 1-22 appeals, and the committee. The report may include the state 1-23 auditor's recommendations for legislation or policy changes. 1-24 SECTION 2. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2001. 1-25 (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), Section 321.017, 2-1 Government Code, as added by this Act, the state auditor shall 2-2 perform and complete a review described by Subsection (a) of that 2-3 section and report the findings of the review before December 1, 2-4 2002. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1377 passed the Senate on May 1, 2001, by a viva-voce vote; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 26, 2001, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1377 passed the House, with amendment, on May 23, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor