H.B. 3194 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 3194
By: Uresti
Human Services
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (department) is
currently exempt from specific fees charged for certain documents as
required in the Family Code and Probate Court. However, the department is
not exempt from fees charged for documents as authorized by Section
118.052 of the Local Government Code for County Courts and from Section
118.011 of the Local Government Code.  Documents for which fees are
charged, such as real estate records and birth and death certificates, are
used in Adult Protective Services guardianship and in-home investigation
cases. House Bill 3194 adds an exemption for the department from other
specific fees by governmental entities for documents costs or filings.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority
to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3194 amends the Human Resource Code by adding exemption for
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services from other specific
fees by governmental entities for documents costs or filings listed under
Section 118.011 or 118.052. The bill provides that payment of fees for a
service requested or action filed prior to September 1, 2003 are subject
to the law in effect at the time the service is requested.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.