BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 113

                                                                                                                                              By: Pitts

Appropriations

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Indigent Defense Program pays claims made to the State by attorneys who represent indigent inmates.  The Comptroller of Public Accounts included payments for claims for the Indigent Defense Program within Strategy A.1.2, Miscellaneous Claims.  However, that strategy limits payments for miscellaneous claims to $25,000.  Recent legal cases have arisen in which it appears the current limit will not be sufficient to cover the costs of legal representation.  House Bill 113 would increase thatthe limit to $50,000.  to address this issue.

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

House Bill 113 amends Rider 3 following appropriations to Fiscal Programs – Comptroller of Public Accounts, page I-28, Chapter 1369, Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, by adding language that limits the amount paid for claims under Article 26.051, Code of Criminal Procedure, to $50,000 per claim.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect on the 91st day after adjournment.