SRC-AMY C.S.S.B. 663 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 663
By: Ogden
Infrastructure Development and Security
3-17-2003
Committee Report (Substituted)

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas leads the nation in traffic fatalities with more than
3,500 people killed each year. The leading causes for traffic fatalities
are speeding, DUI, and lack of seat belt usage.  Increased law enforcement
and understanding what causes accidents would reduce the incidences of the
precipitating factors of traffic fatalities.  C.S.S.B. 663 adds an
additional $2.50 to the consolidated court costs to help fund the Center
for Transportation Safety, which studies accident factors and develops
ways to reduce deaths on Texas highways, and to help fund increased
traffic enforcement where needed. 

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 Article 102.075, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Subsection (p), as follows: 

(p) Requires a person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor to pay $2.50 in
addition to any other costs levied on conviction.  Requires the
comptroller to deposit 20 percent of the money received to the credit of
the Center for Transportation Safety, and the remainder in the general
revenue fund for the public safety director to use for additional traffic
enforcement in areas where the Department of Public Safety determines a
need.  Provides that Subsection (h) does not apply to money received under
this subsection. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: January 1, 2004.

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from the original in SECTION 1 by decreasing the amount to be paid
upon conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, in addition to any other costs
levied, from $5 to $2.50 and specifying that amount as a penalty. Differs
from the original in SECTION 1 by increasing the percentage of money
received under this subsection earmarked for the Center for Transportation
Safety from ten percent to 20 percent.