SRC-JLB, LBB S.B. 190 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 190 78R2114 AKH-DBy: Carona Jurisprudence 2/4/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE In 1993, the 73rd Legislature created a fee not to exceed $5 to be collected at the time of filing in each civil case in a county court, county court at law, or district court. Also, a $5 security fee was established for defendants convicted of a felony in a district court. These fees were established to pay for courtroom security and are collectable from defendants convicted of a felony and at the time of filing of each civil case filed in a county court, county court at law, or district court. Domestic and international threats have caused units of county government to add security deterrents for the safety of the entire courthouse complex, such as barricades in front of the entrances to county buildings so that a vehicle cannot be driven into the building and additional security patrols. An increase in the fees would assist the county in paying for additional security expenses. As proposed, S.B. 190 would increase the civil case fee from "not to exceed $5" to "not to exceed $10" and the district court felony offense fee from $5 to $10. 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 Section 291.008(a), Local Government Code, by increasing from $5 to $10 the maximum amount to be set as a fee to be collected at the time of filing in each civil case. SECTION 2. Amends Article 102.017(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, by increasing the security fee in criminal cases from $5 to $10. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2003 Makes application of this Act prospective.