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