H.B. 1037 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1037
By: Ritter
County Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently under Local Government Code, a Commissioners Court is allowed to
adopt a fee not to exceed $5.00 on civil case filings in county and
district courts that may only be used to provide courthouse security. In
some counties, that fee does not generate sufficient revenue to provide an
adequate courthouse security.  

The bill would allow local governments to increase the allowable fee from
$5 up to $10, for the purpose of courthouse security. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends section 291.008 (a) of the Local Government Code as
follows:  Changes the fee the commissioners court may set from $5 to not
to exceed $10 in civil cases filed in a county court, county court at law,
or district court. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003